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Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: After School and Child Care Age-Related Issues Behavioral Health Education Housing Legislation Immigration After School and Child Care By Katie Riley SB 896 is the only bill left regarding afterschool funding. It is currently in Ways and Means and may receive some funding but it is unlikely to receive the $25-40 million that the sponsor, Senator Anderson, wanted. HB 3162 which also sought funding for afterschool programs did not receive a work session so it is no longer viable. Age-Related Issues by Trish Garner The Senate passed SB 548 , a bill that increases the minimum legal marriageable age to 18. There were only two Nay votes. The bill had already been passed in the House and will be moving to the Governor for her signature. HB 3187A , the workplace age discrimination bill, has been signed into law by the Governor. The bill prohibits employers from asking for a date of birth or graduation date on job applications unless it is a job requirement or an offer of employment has already been made. Behavioral Health By Trish Garner The Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response unanimously passed HB 2481 -11 with a “do pass” recommendation and a referral to Ways & Means. The Dash 11 Amendment constitutes a small but significant portion of HB 2481 and the Committee will be having a Work Session on the remainder of HB 2481 next week. Amendment 11 authorizes the OR Public Guardian and Conservator to develop and administer a program to provide guardianship services to persons who have been charged with committing a crime but who have been determined unable to aid and assist in their defense. It also requires courts to appoint counsel for these defendants and if the defendant is unable to afford counsel, the court will appoint one at state expense. It is likely that the Committee divided the bill as it did because Amendment 11 requires state money to be budgeted for it, and it is also likely that the Ways & Means Committee is well underway in its budgetary consideration process. Other provisions of HB 2481 relate to the aid and assist process in Oregon, and interactions between the state and tribal entities regarding behavioral health treatment and involuntary commitment procedures in these communities. Education By Jean Pierce On May 21, the House Committee on Education recommended Do Pass SB 1098 , the Freedom to Read bill, LWVOR provided testimony in support. HB 2586A has been passed by both chambers. The bill permits an asylum seeker who is a student at a public university to receive an exemption from nonresident tuition and fees. LWVOR filed testimony in support. Budget bills LWVOR is following several budget bills relating to educational funding. In view of the revenue forecast, it is anticipated that amounts appropriated will be lowered. SB 5515 and SB 5516 concern funding for the State School fund. It is anticipated that the final appropriations will be nowhere near the amount recommended by the American Institute on Research (AIR) in March. AIR recommended a 30% increase in funding, with more attention to equitable spending for the education of low income and high needs students. SB 5525 appropriates funding for the Higher Education Coordinating Council to divide among colleges and universities in Oregon. In anticipation of inadequate budgetary allocations, the state’s seven public universities have announced plans to increase the average inflation-adjusted cost of undergraduate tuition for Oregon residents. Tuition will be nearly 30% higher than it was a decade ago. According to a 2022 report from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, a nonprofit think tank in Colorado. “About 25 years ago, public funding accounted for up to 75% of the cost of each full-time employee at an Oregon university. Now, it pays for about 50% or less.” Effect of Federal Actions on Oregon Federal Judge blocks closing of DOE On May 22, Judge Joun in Massachusetts temporarily blocked efforts to carry out an executive order closing the US Department of Education, citing that only Congress can take that step. In addition, the judge ruled that the administration needs to reinstate Education Department employees who lost their jobs in March. Finally, the judge halted the administration’s effort “to transfer management of federal student loans and special education functions out of the Department.” Currently, 77,275 Oregonians are receiving an average of $4,644 in Pell Grants for higher education. In addition, more than $170 million is coming to Oregon for IDEA (funding education of students with special needs. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Bills Passed SB 814 A will be administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) to expand eligibility criteria for the agency’s existing Long-Term Rent Assistance Program. Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) youth under the age of 25 would have an opportunity to access long-term rental assistance to help achieve a greater level of housing security. This measure also requires OHCS to consult with the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), among other stakeholders. Youth assisted will be exiting a childcare center or a correctional facility. At least 14% of youth who were committed to OYA since October 2022 have already experienced some period of homelessness. Studies indicate that housing instability increases the risk for recidivism. This bill will assist youth by providing a safe and stable home so they can devote their attention to employment, education, and family. This bill passed the Senate and House on May 14 and was signed into law on May 19 by the Governor. The League submitted testimony in support. SB 973 protects residents of publicly supported housing by requiring notices from landlords when affordability restrictions are ending. This applies to tenants who are living in subsidized units, applicants, and new tenants. For existing tenants, the bill would extend the notice requirements from 20 to 30 months. It will require landlords to warn tenants that their housing will no longer be affordable. For applicants and new tenants who are entering into a new rental agreement, landlords of publicly supported housing must provide written notice of when the affordability period will end, prior to charging a screening fee or entering into a new rental application. These tenant protections are critical to giving low-income Oregonians additional time to find stable housing they can afford. The Senate and House passed this bill on May 14 and the Governor signed it into law on May 22. The League submitted testimony in support. Bill in Progress Lottery Revenue Bonds are used to provide financial assistance to local governments for facilities and infrastructure improvements and continue to have a statewide impact. SB 5531 seeks to use Lottery Revenue Bonds for affordable housing preservation, and infrastructure to support new housing production. Thirty-six affordable housing properties in Oregon face foreclosure in the next two years. An additional 76 properties are operating at a monthly deficit due to unsustainable operating costs. Preservation is a cost-effective and efficient approach to address our state’s housing crisis. Allocating $160 million to preserve rental housing and $25 million to preserve manufactured housing parks is a sound investment. The Senate held a public hearing on May 9, and an informational meeting on May 16. The bill now is in the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on Capital Construction, where it should be. A work session is expected to be held toward the end of the session. The League submitted testimony in support of this bill. HB 3054 A would limit rent increases and sales constraints by a landlord in a home park or marina, which can threaten residents’ ability to stay in their homes. It would fix at six percent the maximum rent increases for rental spaces in a larger facility and limit to 10 percent the maximum increase in rent paid by the purchaser of a dwelling or home in a facility. It prohibits a landlord from requiring aesthetic improvements or internal inspections as conditions of sale of a dwelling or home in a facility. The bill passed the House, and the Senate Committee on Housing and Development held a work session on May 19 and recommended passage. It declares an emergency, effective September 1, 2025. LWVOR submitted a letter in support. HB 2964 : Requires the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department to award loans to non-profit affordable housing developers to cover pre-development costs of developing new housing. The bill passed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 15. It was then referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Development. The committee held a work session on May 21 and recommended passage. LWV testimony supports passage of the bill. HB 2735 : The House Committee on Revenue held a work session on the Independent Development Accounts (IDAs) bill on May 22, and recommended passage, and referred it to Tax Expenditures. The League submitted a letter in support. The Legislature created the IDAs program in 1999. The state matches participants’ savings up to 5-to-1. Money can be used to invest in the individual financial goals most important to each person’s own circumstances, such as buying a home or enrolling in higher education. The state tax credit that funds IDAs has not kept up with inflation. HB 2735-3 would raise the cap on the tax credit from $7.5 million/year to $16.5 million/year. The cap has not changed since 2009. If the Legislature does not act this session to “fix the funding” for IDAs, the program will shrink to serve 50% fewer Oregonians each year. HB 2958 : The House Committee on Revenue held a work session on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on May 22, and recommended passage with a -2 Amendment and referred it to Tax Expenditures. The bill would extend the sunset date to 2032 and increase to 25 percent the EITC for families with children under three years of age. Other families with children will receive 20 percent of the federal credit. With the amendment, the bill no longer extends the benefit to all childless working adults over age 18. The League submitted a letter in support. The bill, if passed, will put more money in people’s pockets and help avoid the trauma, instability, and costs to society and affected individuals that come from losing one’s home, deferring medical care, or missing meals. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Highlights - News Will President Trump use Oregon National Guard in immigration crackdown ? - OPB Republicans aim to punish states that insure unauthorized immigrants - Oregon Capital Chronicle The HILL: Oregon Legislature advances bill to stop landlords from asking immigration status Trump Welcomes White South African Refugees as He Shuts Out Afghans and Others - The New York Times 20 state AG's sue feds for tying transportation and disaster funding to immigration enforcement • Oregon Capital Chronicle Legislative Bulletin — Friday, May 23, 2025 - National Immigration Forum Click Scroll Bar on Bottom of Table to View All Columns Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments SB 149 Immigration (support services ) JWM waiting for Fiscal Y Sen Jama -3 amendment SB 599A Immig status: discrimination in RealEstate transactions Waiting for Gov to sign N Sen Campos House passes 5/19 SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented JWM 8 Sen Campos Rep Ruiz amendment -1 SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill JWM 6 Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. H Rules PC: No recommen dation Rep Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. JWM 1.5 Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconciliation Bill HB 2586 A nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Waiting for Gov Signature RepHudson, SenCampos League Testi mony HB 2543 funds for universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud dead? 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193A Farm Worker Relief Fund JWM 10 Rep Marsh, SenPham, RepValderrama DAS - see sb 703 HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund (legal rep funds) JWM-GG WS 5/29 7 LFO d etails Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 1/23 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Access Health Care Housing Criminal Justice Access Change in the Rules By Paula Krane The Oregon Senate Republicans will now require all legislation in the Senate to be read in full before a final vote. This is a move that will allow the R’s to slow down the D’s agenda This means that not as much work can be accomplished this session. As of now it is the only parliamentary tactic the R’s think they have to encourage the D’s to work with them. Is this right and will it work only time will tell. Health Care By Christa Danielson SB 420 —Brain Injury Navigation Bill This bill had its first hearing in Sen Human Services with testimony from Senators Patterson and Manning and others from the traumatic brain injury community. Overall, the bill is well received and has many endorsements; LWVOR was mentioned as one. The bill will now go to W&Ms. SB 704 and HB 2558 This bill establishes a Governance Board for Universal Health Care and continues the work of the bipartisan Task force on Universal Health care. It directs the Governing Board to create a comprehensive plan to implement Universal Health Care by 2027. HB 2347 , 2881 , 2882 , 2883 , 2884 , 2885 —Opiate Reduction Package These bills expand the use of Narcan and other opioid blockers to reduce death in acute opioid overdose. These medications are usually used under a physician’s supervision, but this bill will allow these life-saving medications to be managed and used in many other settings such as schools and publicly owned buildings such as libraries, etc. These bills have had their first readings in House Behavioral Health and Health Care. HB 2458 This bill makes conversion therapy Illegal by mental health care professionals for those under 18 years of age by licensed mental health professionals. This bill is in House Behavioral Health and is brought forward by sponsors Nosse and Patterson. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Governor’s Executive Orders Action is converging around Governor Kotek’s priority to address the state’s housing emergency. The Governor signed three Executive Orders Governor’s website related to housing production and homelessness. In addition to setting a statewide housing production goal of 36,000 units per year, she established a Housing Production Advisory Council. Staff from the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), Department of Land Conservation and Development, (DLCD) the Higher Education Coordinating Committee, and the Building Code Division, are providing support to the Council to recommend an action plan to meet the state’s annual housing production target. Regarding Executive Order 23-02, which declares a homelessness emergency in parts of the state, Benton County adopted a resolution asking the Governor to add Benton County to the list of counties in the executive order. This option is now available to all other counties that were not included in the original Executive Order. Oregon Housing Alliance Oregon Housing Alliance, of which LWVOR is a member, voted to endorse two proposed bills backed by the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH) that focus on preserving existing affordable housing and protecting tenants who live in them. Over the next 10 years, use restrictions on more than 7,500 units will end, with some becoming market rate rental housing, which will impose significant hardship on low-income tenants living in them. The LWVOR Action Committee approved adding its logo to NOAH’s informational handouts shared with legislators on bills: HB 3042 and HB 2653 . Oregon Housing and Community Services OHCS and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are partnering to support youth experiencing homelessness. OHCS recently completed a $9 million interagency funds transfer to one of ODHS’s Self-Sufficiency Programs --Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program. The program will coordinate statewide planning for delivery of services to youth experiencing homelessness and support local programs. It will also support newer initiatives by investing in activities such as crisis prevention and long-term interventions. Department of Land Conservation and Development Throughout the 2023 legislative session, DLCD will review dozens of bills related to housing production and affordability under consideration by lawmakers. Perhaps the most consequential is HB 2889 , which would implement the agency recommendations published in conjunction with OHCS in December 2022 to comprehensively reform the state’s Goal 10 planning process. HB 4006 (2018) requires OHCS to annually provide cities with populations greater than 10,000 data showing the percentage of renter households that are severely rent burdened. It also requires submittal of “Permitted and Produced” surveys to DLCD by February 1 for the previous year. Last week, DLCD published datasets summarizing this information from 2018-2021. Data from 2022 is expected to be published in Spring 2023. Past downloads of “Permitted and Produced” Reports and other required housing reporting can be found on DLCD’s website . Criminal Justice By Marge Easley Data collection and dissemination have become critically important tools for the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) and the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC), according to presentations given to the members of the Joint Ways and Means Public Safety Subcommittee on January 24 and 25 . OJD began a concerted effort for better data collection in 2016 with the rollout of the E-Court program. Data dashboards represent the latest step forward. They graphically show data for criminal filings and caseloads for felony and misdemeanor crimes, aid and assist, expungements, and post-conviction relief. Data is critical to further CJC’s mission “to improve the legitimacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of state and local criminal justice systems.” Data is collected from police stops, arrest and corrections information, circuit court cases, specialty court cases, and grant program reports. CJC also uses dashboards to provide real-time data in a user-friendly way. For example, one dashboard illustrated: In 2020 and 2021, Covid-19 led to a significant decrease in police stops and property crimes but a surge in violent crime, particularly murder and aggravated assault. The onset of Covid led to a 50% decrease in Non-Possession of Controlled Substances arrests and to a 90% decrease in Possession of Controlled Substances arrests. The implementation of BM 110 led to further reductions.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Interim Week 6/10 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Redistricting Websites, public records, and geospatial information The House and Senate Rules committees met during the interim days last week. House Rules met May 31 to hear from representatives of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy. Senate Rules met May 20 to consider various appointments. Campaign Finance A CFR workgroup called by Rep. Fahey began meeting via video conferencing June 3. The workgroup’s goals are to identify technical adjustments needed to ensure successful implementation of HB 4024 (2024), recommend legislative fixes for 2025, and consider broader policy improvements for future sessions. The workgroup includes most of the groups from business, labor and Honest Elections that negotiated on HB 4024. The LWVOR is represented by Norman Turrill. The Interim Joint Emergency Board decided May 31 to fund the request of the Secretary of State for the work required to implement HB 4024 (2024). Included are 17 new staff positions and an overhaul of ORESTAR. The Elections division has a backlog of 750 election complaints. Redistricting The Oregon Court of Appeals decided March 27 in favor of People Not Politicians that IP 14 does not include two subjects. Our Oregon has now requested a review of the Court of Appeals decision by the Oregon Supreme Court. Their purpose seems to be further delay of redistricting reform. People Not Politicians previously announced that it is pausing the initiative signature campaign for IP 14 . It has now refiled an initiative for the 2028 general election. Websites, public records, and geospatial information By Rebecca Gladstone Several governance groups covered in this LR section have been active since the 2024 short session ended. May 2024 EPAB (Electronic Portal Advisory Board) news: EPAB meets quarterly to oversee state agency websites. The League is represented in the Public Member position, with Rebecca Gladstone appointed by Governor Brown in 2019.Watch for the upcoming state Elections website redesign, featuring ORVIS , the new Voter Registration system, early in 2025! ORESTAR updates are expected to follow soon after. The Oregon Newsroom , the updated state “Newsroom 2.0” website has launched with category and agency menus, and current articles. The ORMaps Project , Tax Districting Work Group through the Department of Revenue met on May 22nd. Significantly, we were referred to the Oregon GeoHub , “Oregon’s Authoritative Geospatial Repository” because our LWVOR They Represent You website efforts begun in 2013 may again hold promise. This group convened in 2022, inviting LWV to work with the policy group to advocate for elections’ districts (Becky Gladstone) and the technical group to improve the data organization and access for our VOTE411 work (Peggy Bengry). SB 417 Public Records Work Group will reconvene soon to prepare for the 2025 session. Technical discussions stalled during the 2024 session around filling public records requests, setting fees, coordinating between government entities, and prioritizing work with limited budgets. The recent unprecedented volume of public records requests seen in our elections offices was addressed in earlier Legislative Reports. The Oregon Transparency Website update ( report ) is complete, as presented to the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Management and Technology on May 30. The State AI Advisory Council will meet next on June 11. Https Graphic

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 3/13 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Gun Safety Housing Gun Safety By Marge Easley Two firearm bills have appeared on committee agendas, marking a possible turning point in a relatively calm session. HB 2005 defines undetectable firearms (“ghost guns”) and sets penalties for possessions, selling, and transferring firearms without a serial number. The bill is scheduled for a hearing on March 22 and a work session on March 28 in House Judiciary. SB 527 allows gun dealers or others transferring firearms to set a minimum age of 21 for purchases, repairs, or services. The hearing is on March 27 and the work session on March 30 in Senate Judiciary. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Governor Kotek’s $200 million Funding Package “Unprecedented” is frequently quoted if the Legislature passes Governor Kotek’s comprehensive $200 million funding request. Last week the Joint W&Ms passed HB 2001 B and its companion bill HB 5019 A , with strong bipartisan support. On March 15, the House overwhelmingly passed both bills, now headed to the Senate. They are on a fast-track to be signed by the Governor before the end of the month. If signed into law these bills would substantially increase funding for programs to keep Oregonians experiencing housing instability in their homes, move unsheltered people into safe shelter and stable housing and get on a path towards increasing affordable housing production. HB 2001 B addresses the policy side of the package. It will help keep people housed and sheltered, streamline the process of building new homes and housing units, set goals for new housing in cities around the state, provide accountability for the funds, address youth homelessness, and inadequate housing for agricultural workers. It also establishes the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis within the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS). The Department of Land Conservation and Development and OHCS will assist the Department of Administrative Services in carrying out the requirements. Details on the many aspects of this bill can be found here. HB 5019 A spells out the funding aspects of the appropriation to support the state’s response to the homelessness to provide services to the balance of state in the 2023-25 biennium; to address youth homelessness; and to repurpose $30.6 million in funds from the Housing and Community Services Department 2021-23 budget towards these efforts. Details on these expenditures are here. The League provided testimony on HB 5019. Housing Accountability and Production Office HB 3414 would direct the Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Department of Consumer and Business Services to jointly establish and administer the Housing Accountability and Production Office. The new office would assist local governments in complying with laws related to housing development and reduce barriers to housing production. The office would also serve as a resource for housing developers experiencing barriers to development. The bill also limits conditions under which local governments may deny variance for housing developments within the jurisdiction’s urban growth boundary.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 4/7 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Initiatives Rulemaking Legislation for which the League testified Elections Initiatives SJR 30 : Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require petition signatures for initiative laws to contain at least eight percent of the total votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last general election at which a Governor was elected divided equally among the congressional districts of this state. Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require petition signatures for initiative amendments to the Oregon Constitution to contain at least ten percent of the total votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last general election at which a Governor was elected divided equally among the congressional districts of this state. League written testimony here . Public hearing April 2 in Senate Rules . Rulemaking By Peggy Lynch The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking. After legislation is passed, agencies are required to implement those laws. That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies : This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. The League will continue to be engaged with potential meetings in May and June. We continue to watch a series of bills related to rulemaking which we might oppose: HB 2255 , HB 2303 , HB 2402 and HB 2427 . We are also concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. We may sign on to a letter explaining our concerns to legislative leadership. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures . Legislation for which the League testified By Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey SJR 30 : Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require petition signatures for initiative laws to contain at least eight percent of the total votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last general election at which a Governor was elected divided equally among the congressional districts of this state. Proposes an amendment to the Oregon Constitution to require petition signatures for initiative amendments to the Oregon Constitution to contain at least ten percent of the total votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last general election at which a Governor was elected divided equally among the congressional districts of this state. League written testimony here . Public hearing April 2 in Senate Rules . SB 224 : Prohibits the Secretary of State from publishing the residence address of certain individuals who are affiliated with a candidate's principal campaign committee on the electronic filing system maintained by the secretary. Previous League written testimony . Work session: April 2; do pass as amended by -3 ; 5-0-0-0 SB 1014, to allow political party statement translations in online voters’ pamphlets, was heard in Sen Rules; League testimony , written and presented, was among four speaking to the bill. SB 1046 to expand automatic voter registration (AVR) from DMV & OHA to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), was heard in Senate Rules, League testimony , comments with cautions, in support of the concept. AVR was put on hold for an audit after non-citizen voter registrations were discovered OPB , October 7, 2024. The ODFW feels unprepared to determine citizenship, as the Dept of Revenue did when AVR expansion via tax filings was suggested with HB 2499 A (2021), League testimony. We supported HB 2177 Enrolled (2015), well-known as Oregon’s MotorVoter law, League testimony . SB 952 , for interim US Senator appointments, League testimony presented and submitted in support, was heard in Senate Rules. The crux, the bill would give Oregon a Senator’s voice during interim months that might be lacking, in case of an unexpected vacancy. Elections would be held as prescribed and voters would still have a say. Appointment by the Governor would maintain party representation. SB 473 -2 League testimony, to create a crime of threatening a public official, passed unanimously from Sen Judiciary. Bill we are watching: SB 1121 creates a new crime of unlawful private data disclosure, punishable by a maximum of six months' imprisonment, $2,500 fine, or both. A public hearing and possible work session are slated for April 8 in Senate Judiciary, at the request of the Oregon Judiciary. Elections By Barbara Klein SB 210 . Effort to Repeal Vote-By-Mail (VBM) was heard by Senate Rules with a great deal of public input. OLIS experienced technical issues on 3/31/2025 due to the overwhelming number of SB 210 testimony submissions (both written and requests to speak). Testimony was heated at times, with oppose and support views near equal in number during the hearing, despite the unequal written statements. Complaints about VBM included concerns about fraud, lack of responsibility on the part of voters and the erroneously belief that there are online connections to ballots. Senator David Brock Smith the main sponsor of the bill (joined later by Senator Kim Thatcher) repeatedly explained that they just want voters to “reaffirm” their wishes to keep VBM or not. SB 210 is a ballot referral to the voters. There was no discussion of monies needed to support or oppose the ballot measure. While more testimony continued to pour in for the 48 hours after the hearing adjourned, shortly after the hearing there were more than 11,000 written testimonies submitted. Over 85% of those were opposed to the bill and in favor of keeping VBM. The League submitted written testimony and delivered verbal testimony (at 1 hour, 26 minutes, 20 second mark). HB 3908 was heard on 3/31/2025. HB 3908, related to party membership and registration requirements, was filed by the Rules Committee at the request of the Independent Party of Oregon (IPO). It may surprise readers (as it did some legislators) why a minor party would be requesting an increase in the percentage of voters from 5% to 10% for a party to be determined a major political party. Registration levels of the IPO have fluctuated between qualifying as a minor and major party. IPO spokespersons said they’re on the brink of major party status once again and would like a “longer runway” or more time to adjust to different (and more stringent) major party requirements. In both2017 and 2019 they requested the legislature remove some of the more stringent requirements, but had no remedy. They believe major party status now would destroy their party and instead wish to maintain their minor party status. When questioned as to whether this would make it more difficult for other minor parties, the witnesses gave data showing other parties are years off from major party status (based on their numbers). While LWVOR supports a diverse group of voices, it has not planned to address HB3908. SB 1054 , introduced by sole sponsor Senator Daniel Bonham, is scheduled for a hearing April 7th in Senate Rules. It requires “each county clerk in this state to provide a live video feed to be made available to the public through the Internet of rooms in which ballots are tallied and official ballot drop sites” These feeds would have to be recorded and made available to the public through the Internet for at least two years following the election at which the live video feed was provided. Issues at play include ballot security vs transparency, and costs. The League has not provided testimony. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Sine Die 2024 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to topic: After School and Summer Care Behavioral Health and Related Public Safety Issues Education K-12 related Bills Healthcare Higher Education Housing Immigration/Refugee Violence Prevention and Gun Policy Volunteers Needed After School and Summer Care By Katie Riley LWVOR wrote testimony supporting a bill which would have provided $50 million to support summer learning through ODE to school districts. HB4082 , which included an appropriation of $30 million for 2024 summer care plus additional funding for ODE administration and authorized formation of a work group to plan for future afterschool and summer programs was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. ODE has notified school districts of allocations and a process for applications for 2024 summer funding. The task force has not been set up to date. Behavioral Health and Related Public Safety Issues By Karen Nibler and Jean Pierce HB4002 A , the “Oregon Drug Intervention Plan'' was signed by the Governor and took effect April 1st. This version is very similar to HB 4002-24, for which the League wrote testimony . Here is a flow chart which describes the provisions. Companion Bills: The Governor also signed HB 4001 A to study specialty courts for drug offenses and costs of deflection programs in the Oregon Health Authority programs; HB 5204A which provides $211M to implement HB 4002 in the community corrections programs and $4M to train behavioral health workers; HB 4151 B which supports the University of Oregon work on the youth behavioral health workforce; HB 4136 A to provide funds to increase health care access and divert from emergency rooms in Eugene, which is recognized for its mobile teams for substance abuse incidents. Education K-12 related Bills By Anne Nesse Bills that we did not testify on, but did pass into law, that significantly relate to education : SB 1557 E , requiring the Oregon Health Authority to ensure that all children or youth up to age 21, who are eligible for home or community-based services in mental health receive the services to which they are entitled, passed the Legislature on 3/7. The Governor signed this into law on 4/4. Subsidized childcare will be funded at approximately $170 M, for the Employment Related Day Care program. A program which pays almost the entire cost of child care for about 12,000 low-income families, preventing a budget deficit, noted in an article located here . Funding was allocated inside the omnibus funding Bill, SB 5701 A . An historic public/private partnership was announced by Governor Kotek on 4/17 to allow even more increased funding for child care. that adds $5 million from the Oregon CHIPS Act, and will be allocated to the new Oregon CHIPS Child Care Fund created by HB4098 E, bringing the total starting capacity of the fund to $7.5 million. Business Oregon will establish a work group to adopt recommendations for requiring certain businesses to make a financial contribution to the CHIPS Child Care Fund. The work group will report to the committees of the Legislative Assembly related to child care and workforce development by November 15, 2024. Business Oregon Director Sophorn Cheang said. “This program plays a big part in addressing this need within the semiconductor sector and can serve as a model for other industries in years to come.” Here is the announcement . Bills we did testify on, and that did pass into law in the short 2024 Session: SB 1552 B , creating a State Youth Advisory Board, and many other educational changes needed in an Omnibus Educational Bill, passed the Legislature on 3/7. Our LWVOR testimony in support of this Bill is here . The Governor signed this into law on 4/4. The following Bills which we testified on, but did not have time to pass the legislature in the short 2024 session. A few of these Bills, may return in the long Session of 2025: SB 1583 A , prohibited discrimination when selecting instructional materials, or books used in state public schools, had passed the Senate on 2/27, but remained in House Rules as of 3/6, without passage. This Bill had included additional language, already existing in current law, that had prohibited discrimination in selection of materials in public schools. Our LWVOR testimony is here . HB 4078 A , directed ODE to implement a standardized method for school districts to electronically collect, and use student data, did not have time to pass during the short session. Our LWVOR testimony supporting this Bill is here. HB 4079 , attempted to remove the percentage cap on the amount of moneys that are distributed from the State School Fund to school districts for students eligible for special education. Our LWVOR testimony supporting this Bill is here . Healthcare By Christa Danielson HB 4149 Requires Pharmacy Benefits Managers to be licensed by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; requires PBMs to report specific information to the DBcS; and allows policy holders of insurance to choose their pharmacy. The bill also prevents "claw-backs”- preventing PBMs from requesting repayment of funds it initially paid. The league advocated for supporting 4149 to increase transparency and clarify the hidden costs of pharmaceuticals. Also the bill helps rural pharmacies by allowing the patients to choose their pharmacies and preventing charging more after the sale of a medication. There are many more aspects of the bill and of the topic in general. There will be a work group over the summer to address these. Signed by Governor Kotek 4/4/2024 HB 4130 Strengthens bans against Corporate Practice of Medicine. The league advocated for the bill to prevent corporations from taking over the practice of medicine and to allow healthcare providers to make decisions about patient care. This bill is also in line with the National League’s Position on health care which supports a national health insurance plan financed through general taxes and is opposed to a strictly market-based model of financing healthcare. The league supports the single payer concept as a viable and desirable approach to implementing league positions on equitable access, affordability and financial viability. See the LWV Health Care Reform TOOLKIT . Also HCR4US works well. Bill was at the Senate President’s desk at adjournment. Higher Education By Jean Pierce LWVOR wrote testimony supporting a bill which would have provided $6 million to public universities to train additional mental health professionals. There is currently a mental health workforce shortage in practically every county in Oregon, and this is preventing people with substance use disorders from obtaining the treatment they need. HB 5204 A , which included an appropriation of $4 million for the training, was signed by the Governor. The tuition and fees required for public 4-year colleges in Oregon rank in the top third of the nation for expense. Furthermore, tuition and fees only account for 47% of the total cost of attendance of attending a public college in the state. HB 4162 would have provided funds to help pay for basic needs of students such as food and housing. Despite the League’s support, the bill did not advance. Housing By Debbie Aiona, Nancy Donovan A number of organizations advocating for sufficient funding to preserve existing low-income housing, including the League , were not successful in their request that the Legislature provide $30 million in lottery-backed bonds for housing preservation in HB 5201 . The League supported and the legislature passed SB 1530 , the governor’s housing investment package that included funding for housing stability, infrastructure development, housing production, climate impacts, and recovery housing. Unfortunately, the final version of the bill did not include $15 million for affordable homeownership the League supported . It did include $5 million for the Individual Development Account program, less than the $10 million the League urged the legislature to allocate in order to maintain current service levels. Here is the Governor’s signed letter . A large number of organizations with an interest in land use, the environment, and housing signed on to a group letter stating their support for Oregon’s land use system and environmental protection with information on steps Oregon can take to produce more housing while at the same time adhering to established practices. The League supported , but the legislature did not pass, HB 4099 that would have given affordable housing developers more time to pay their System Development Charge fees in order to reduce the overall cost of development. HB 4134 , which the legislature passed and the League supported , provides state grants for specific infrastructure projects in communities throughout the state intended to make land available for housing development. Immigration / Refugee By Claudia Keith HB 4085 A – Directs DHS to give grants for legal assistance to help noncitizens get lawful immigration. Fiscal $6.3M, adds 2 positions / 1.2 FTE. League testimon y, currently in J W&Ms. Feb 19 HB 4085 -1 Preliminary SMS . Policy bill died in JWM. This funding may appear at the end of session JWM omnibus bill - see below. SB1578A which directs the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to establish and maintain a management system to schedule appointments and process billing for health care interpreters was amended to limit the service to Oregon Health Plan Members. The amended bill was passed by the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction March 1st and was referred to the full committee. The Staff analysis of the measure reports that these interpreters are needed to facilitate communication between healthcare providers and patients with limited English proficiency as well as the deaf and hard of hearing. According to the latest U.S. Census American Community Survey, there are 216,654 people in Oregon with limited English proficiency. Passed, Governor was asked to veto that request was denied. Twenty-Nine GOP Lawmakers Ask Kotek to Veto Medical Interpreter Bill . | Willamette Weekly SB5701 End of Session JWM Funding Agency $M Description DHS 2 Refugee Newcomer Support Services Pilot. Short term Grants will be awarded eligible newcomers, such as shelter, food, housing, and case management services 8 awarding grants to organizations providing culturally. responsive services supporting economic stability. DOE/DELC 0.8 ERDC program resources for English-speaking and non-English-speaking communities. DOE HE 6.1 public university educator preparation programs for linguistic and cultural diversity of students and diverse teacher candidates -2.5 Reduces General Fund appropriation to DHS’ Self Sufficiency Programs by $2.5 million to reflect lower than budgeted costs for closure of the temporary state-operated Welcome Center. one-time basis to transition asylum seekers. 4 Latino Network for the La Plaza Esperanza service hub for Portland and Gresham residents. (Capital Project) 2.5 Oregon Vietnamese American Cultural Center to support the acquisition and development of a community center. (Capital Project) Violence Prevention and Gun Policy By Marge Easley SB 1503, supported by the League, was one of the few violence prevention bills to make it through the session. It establishes the Task Force on Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention, whose 17 members include legislators and representatives from state agencies, behavioral and public healthcare groups, and communities most impacted by suicide. Also included in the bill is an allocation of $250,000 to the Oregon Department of Justice to support the task force and fund outside research on firearm suicide prevention. Findings will be reported back to the Legislature over the next two years. We were also pleased to see bipartisan support for and passage of HB 4156 , which strengthens and modernizes Oregon’s anti-stalking law and includes much-needed provisions for the crimes of cyberstalking and internet harassment. Although unrelated to the session, two other gun policy issues should be noted. We continue to monitor the legal status of Measure 114, passed by Oregon voters in 2022 with the strong support of the League. The measure mandates a permit to purchase a firearm and places a ban on high-capacity magazines, However, it remains on hold as it makes its way through the appeals court system, and we await an opportunity to join an amicus brief. Also, in November 2023, at the request of LWVUS, we offered comments on a proposed federal rule to broaden the definition of “engaged in the business” as a dealer in firearms to include online sales and gun shows. We recently received thanks from LWVUS along with the news that the U.S. Attorney General signed the final rule on April 10, 2024. Volunteers Needed What is your passion related to Social Policy? You can help. V olunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. In addition to the topics listed above, we need League members interested in Criminal Justice and in Mental Health. If any area of Social Policy is of interest to you, please contact Jean Pierce, Social Policy Coordinator, at SocialPolicy@lwvor.org . Training will be offered.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/20 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Cybersecurity and Public Records By Rebecca Gladstone Numerous promising bills mentioned in hearings will probably pop up for first public hearings shortly. Watch the legislative calendar for bill processing deadlines . Reporting will continue for bills with our filed testimony. I’ll add other bills and also testify to amendments as they warrant further attention. Some 28 bills referred here for relevant League testimony will probably fail to move this session. HB 2049 : The League supports this cybersecurity omnibus committee bill, returning from last session. Governments seeking help, the private sector offering it, and academia, K-20 to work, are together here. This bill can modernize our IT, boost our current and long-term workforce, and improve public awareness. A fourth informational hearing was held for invited speakers, adding time for public testimony. This bill’s concept passed unanimously out of committee last session and no testimony in opposition has been filed yet this session. See our testimony and the collaborative support letter LWVOR endorsed . SB 417 : Senate Judiciary Chair, Sen. Lieber, agreed to our request for a Task Force to work on this public records fee bill. It has been held for input and we will meet on Feb. 27 to work on it. Rights of Incarcerated People By Marge Easley The bill that gives adults in custody the right to vote appears to be on the move. A work session on SB 579 has been scheduled for March 2 in Senate Judiciary. We will keep you updated on its progress. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 5/12 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Privacy, Consumer Protection, Ethics, and a Budget Elections Artificial Intelligence Campaign Finance By Norman Turrill HB 3392 is said to be the vehicle for a gut and stuff of the technical fixes for HB 4024 (2024) . This bill is currently a study of campaign finance by the Secretary of State. Complex amendments are under discussion among Honest Elections, the Secretary of State’s Election Division, the Attorney General’s office, Oregon Business and Industries, Oregon unions and legislative staff. However, no amendments are yet posted on OLIS. Privacy, Consumer Protection, Ethics, and a Budget By Becky Gladstone HB 2008 A had a May 5 public hearing in the Senate Judiciary, after unanimous House Commerce and Consumer Protection support and then also on the House Floor. This personal data bill is detailed, basically about protecting personal data for teenagers. League testimony in support. Testimony this week is for bills being heard in the second chamber. Hearings are being scheduled without agendas, to cover for deadlines: “ This agenda may be populated with any measures that have been carried over from previously posted agendas. ” This week’s testimony forecast: HB 3766 A is up for a second public hearing in the Senate Judiciary, May 12, after passing unanimously from the House Floor. It would allow civil action against an adult who, unbidden, digitally sends intimate images (cyber-flashing) with the intent to harass, degrade or humiliate, League testimony in support. Updated testimony was requested to address amendments. SB 430 -1 is up for a second public hearing in House Commerce and Consumer Protection, May 12, for online transaction cost disclosure to improve transparency. It passed in Senate Labor and Business on partisan lines, similarly, passing on partisan lines on the Senate Floor, 18 to 11. As reported earlier, the League anticipates submitting testimony in support. HB 3167 A is up for a third public hearing in Senate Labor and Business on May 13 to address pricing transparency for admission ticket purchases. The League is researching testimony. HB 2930 is up for a second public hearing on May 14 in Senate Rules, for conflict of interest of public officials’ household members. HB 2932 is also up for a second public hearing on May 14 in Senate Rules, to allow public officials to get paid for teaching at certain post-secondary institutions, as an exception to public officials’ prohibition against using an official position or office for financial gain or avoidance of financial detriment. The League is researching testimony. Reviewing: HB 5017 , the State Library budget bill, has a first work session on May 15, after a February 11 public hearing. The League testimony was the only one filed and is in support of our partnership for League Voter Service information. They share our Voters’ Guides in the Talking Books and Braille Library , here for the 2024 general election. SB 470 A : work sessions had been scheduled on April 24 and May 7, bounced to subsequent agendas, none currently listed for this popularly supported bill. League testimony supported the original bill to protect lodgers’ privacy from illicitly taken videos. SB 238 modifies provisions of law enforcement use of drones. We have not addressed this committee bill and are watching for developments on this new surveillance technology. The bill is passing on partisan lines, from Senate Judiciary and the Senate floor, with a public hearing in House Judiciary. HB 2006 would limit long session bill requests to 25 bills from legislators to legislative counsel. We are watching for a public hearing to be scheduled in House Rules. Elections By Barbara Klein The Senate Interim Committee on Rules requested SB 44 related to elections. There was a hearing for SB 44 on May 7 and it is scheduled for a work session on May 14th (in Senate Rules ). There are two amendments that would completely replace this bill. Details of the staff analysis of the amendments and background can be viewed here . In summary, -2 changes statutory references of voter registration “cards” to voter registration “applications.” During testimony the SOS office did not note fiscal impact; the analysis states it is unclear (at this time) whether there will be a fiscal impact. Amendment -4 to SB 44 changes the statutes related to Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) electing either multiple or single winners. Current law is either silent or does not work with RCV elections in relationship to vote recounts, tallying or write-in votes. The amendment also adds an official definition of Ranked Choice Voting (“Ranked-choice voting means a method of conducting an election in which electors may rank candidates in order of the electors’ preference”). The League’s testimony can be read here . SB 580 -2 had a third reading in the Senate on May 7th, and a first reading on the same day in the House. The bill, which originally required each city or county filing officer “ to make publicly available on the county or city website within two business days certain election documents that are filed with the filing officer, ” was amended to accommodate the different challenges between counties. Some small counties have no webmaster and work more easily with physical copies of information than digital, whereas in larger areas (like Portland) the opposite is true. The amendment allows longer time for more verified information (aside from posting name and office for the candidate, or withdrawal). Additionally, there are exceptions for candidacy declarations for precinct committee persons. The sponsor of the bill, Senator James Manning , explained it as a response to requests from voters for more transparency. Artificial Intelligence (AI) By Lindsey Washburn HB 3936 bans the use of AI on state assets if the AI is owned or developed by a foreign corporate entity. Passed from the Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology with a 6-0 vote and includes the -1 amendment to remove "country of origin". Senator Sollman referenced the League's testimony to this bill during her remarks. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - December Interim 2024 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Governance Campaign Finance (CFR) Oregon Open Primary Act Governance By Norman Turrill, Governance Coordinator The House and Senate Rules committees met during the interim days last week. Senate Rules met Dec. 10 to consider various executive appointments and introduced three placeholder bills. House Rules met Dec. 12 to hear testimony about election integrity and to hear an update from the Legislative Oversight, Effectiveness, and Accountability Workgroup . They then introduced a bill to establish a Legislative Audit Officer (LAO) within the legislative branch. Campaign Finance (CFR) A CFR workgroup called by Rep. Fahey that began in June is still working to identify technical adjustments needed to ensure successful implementation of HB 4024 (2024) , to recommend legislative fixes for 2025, and to consider broader policy improvements for future sessions. The workgroup includes representatives from the legislature, business, labor and Honest Elections that negotiated on HB 4024. Since such a technical fix bill would likely be introduced by the House Rules committee, it could happen at any time during the coming legislative session. Oregon Open Primary Act By Barbara Klein Working with the same coalition we signed on with last year, LWVOR has helped OERC (Oregon Election Reform Coalition) produce the Oregon Open Primary Act LC #1109 . This proposal is for “open” primaries (one ballot for all voters), but the section adopting ranked choice voting for general elections was removed. Rep. Gamba (D/I/WFP) and Sen. Aaron Woods (Veterans Caucus, (D/WFP)) have agreed to introduce the bill, being joined by Co-Chief Sponsors Rep. Lively (D/I/WFP), Rep. Paul Evans (D/I/WFP) and Rep. Susan McLain (D/I/WFP). At this point, there are no Republican sponsors, although we have reached out to several. We look forward to a multi-partisan effort. One Republican, Rep. Wallan from southern Oregon, is interested in parties opening their own primaries to non-affiliated voters (NAVs), but not primaries using one ballot.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Reform Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes Government Ethics Campaign Finance Reform The Portland City Auditor wants to ask the Legislature to nullify (preempt) the campaign finance reform Charter Amendment approved by 87.4% of Portland voters in 2018. This would undermine the express desires of Portland voters and open the doors to a deluge of big money flowing into Portland elections. It is unclear if the Auditor will convince city representatives to lobby for this idea in the Legislature. Social Policy, Immigration, Hate Crimes By Becky Gladstone Numerous bills followed here have not been scheduled for hearings. Their committees are still introducing members to their issues. Weather cancellations included Joint Information Management and Technology IT modernization planning. Here are recent bill updates: HB 2341 , ( League testimony in support), passed unanimously in a work session. The bill would add veterans’ email addresses to shared information in providing services. HB 5017 ; League testimony was presented and heard in support of this Oregon State Library budget bill. HB 2570 is scheduled for a work session 19 Feb. League testimony was submitted and presented in support of this privacy bill to make new [non]disclosure law to keep PII (personally identifiable information) confidential for employees working with OSHA investigations or inspections. SB 473 creates a new crime of threatening a public official. League testimony in support was written and presented. Sen Prozanski, Sen Judiciary Chair, suggested forming a work group for this complex issue. We are researching these: HB 2710 , to put victims of child abduction onto the list of those able to join the Address. Confidentiality Program. A public hearing was cancelled due to weather. HB 3012 , relates to 16 or 17 year-olds voting in school district elections, and it has not been scheduled for a hearing. HB 3384 , a County Clerks’ bill to alter the election calendar to allow not processing petitions during election season, has not moved since a Feb 3 public hearing. We are watching for amendments and intend to support it. SB 18 would increase penalties for election law violations. A public hearing was almost scheduled, but was withdrawn for this complex bill, with amendments already underway. Government Ethics By Chris Cobey HB 2727 further limits what lobbying a legislator can do after leaving office. It was heard in House Rules Feb. 10. The League supported this bill with testimony . HB 3130 would allow unpaid school district board members to not file statements of economic interest (SEIs) with the Government Ethics Commission. It was heard in House Rules Feb. 10. The League opposed this bill with testimony , since conflicts of interest do not depend on the size of a school district or if a public official is paid or not.

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 1/16 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Transparency By Rebecca Gladstone Two major bills that passed unanimously from committees in 2022 and failed to progress will now be moving in 2023. SB 2052 is the AG’s Oregon Data Broker Registry bill, heard in House Business and Labor. We called attention in our League testimony in support to data brokers influencing elections. We urge ongoing legislative attention to privacy, transparency, and cybersecurity issues because they evolve quickly. Other testimony spoke to biometrics revealing pregnancy since hips widen and gait recognition may perceive changes. Gait recognition may be a more reliable individual identifier than other biometric measurements. Data brokers can market geolocation information, also a privacy issue if they sell geolocation tracking information, for example to health clinics. Chair Holvey called our attention to the companion SB 619, not yet scheduled for public hearing. The Joint Committee for Information Management and Technology has three committee bills, none scheduled for hearings yet. The committee is introducing concepts and agency staff to new committee members. HB 2049 We will continue to support his cybersecurity omnibus committee bill. SB 625 We will be examining this IT procurement pilot program bill. SB 680 We may address this committee broadband development bill for the southern Oregon coast. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Worthy causes go unaddressed for lack of League volunteers. If you see a need and can offer your expertise, please contact our staff at lwvor@lwvor.org .

Back to All Legislative Reports Governance Internships Legislative Report - Week of 5/19 Governance Team Coordinator: Becky Gladstone and Chris Cobey Artificial Intelligence: Lindsey Washburn Campaign Finance Reform: Norman Turrill Conflicts of Interest/Legislative Ethics: Chris Cobey CEI - Critical Energy Infrastructure : Nikki Mandell and Laura Rogers Cybersecurity Privacy, Election Issues, Electronic Portal Advisory Board: Becky Gladstone Election Systems: Barbara Klein Emergency Preparedness: Cate Arnold Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum: Claudia Keith Redistricting: Norman Turrill, Chris Cobey State Audit Working Group: Sheila Golden Voting Rights of Incarcerated People: Marge Easley Please see Governance Overview here . Jump to a topic: Campaign Finance Protecting privacy, consumers, and public officials State information portal & rulemaking update Elections Artificial Intelligence Rule Making Campaign Finance By Norman Turrill HB 3392 is said to be the vehicle for a gut and stuff of the technical fixes for HB 4024 (2024) . This bill is currently a study of campaign finance by the Secretary of State. Complex amendments are under discussion among Honest Elections, the Secretary of State’s Election Division, the Attorney General’s office, Oregon Business and Industries, Oregon unions and legislative staff. However, no amendments are yet posted on OLIS. The Elections Division of the Secretary of State is asking the public for feedback until August 22 on draft administrative rules that would implement HB 4025 (2024). It has also appointed a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to work on these new administrative rules. Protecting privacy, consumers, and public officials By Becky Gladstone HB 3766 had a second public hearing in the Senate Judiciary after passing unanimously from the House Floor. League testimony supported the bill as written to allow civil action against an adult who, unbidden, digitally sends intimate images (cyber-flashing) with the intent to harass, degrade or humiliate. Updated League testimony was filed and presented to address amendments quantifying defendant age and limiting damages to $10,000. We recommended reading Criminalising Cyberflashing . SB 470 A : A work session on May 15 in House Judiciary passed 7 to 0 for this popularly supported bill, with unanimous support from Senate Judiciary and the Senate floor. League testimony supported the original bill to protect lodgers’ privacy from illicitly taken videos. SB 473 A has a work session scheduled in House Judiciary for May 19, to create a crime of threatening a public official, after passing unanimously on the Senate floor, League testimony, in support. SB 952 A has a public hearing set for May 19, followed by a work session on May 21, in House Rules, after passing on the Senate Floor, along nearly partisan lines, 26 to 13, to consider interim US Senator appointments, League testimony in support. HB 2008 B passed a May 13 work session unanimously in Senate Judiciary, after unanimous House Commerce and Consumer Protection support and then also on the House floor. This personal data bill is detailed, basically about protecting personal data for teenagers. League testimony in support. SB 430 A : Our League testimony in support was filed and comments abridged for hearing brevity, addressing the extensive amendments that broadly address business transparency for consumer protections. The bill is up for a second work session in House Commerce and Consumer Protection on May 20. The initial bill, for online transaction cost disclosure to improve transparency passed in Senate Labor and Business on partisan lines, similarly passing on partisan lines on the Senate Floor, 18 to 11. SB 1121 A creates a new crime of unlawful private data disclosure, punishable by a maximum of six months' imprisonment, $2,500 fine, or both. Notably, this calls for criminal court action that can deliver punitive sentences, versus civil court actions, for plaintiff recompense and possible restraining orders. It passed a Senate floor vote unanimously with a House Judiciary May 20 work session. League testimony was filed and presented, supporting the amendment relating to data broker issues, specifically written to protect the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. HB 2930 had a second public hearing on May 14 in Senate Rules, for conflict of interest of public officials’ household members. The League supported this bill brought by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, with presented and written testimony . It passed unanimously from House Rules and from the House floor. State information portal & rulemaking update The second quarter EPAB meeting (Electronic Government Portal Advisory Board) is rescheduled for June. EPAB was one of the website oversight providers presented in the Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology informational meeting on May 16, as a follow up to the public hearing for HB 3931 , calling for a Task Force to study a coordinated state portal for licensing, applications, etc. See League testimony and our May 5 Legislative Report for the provider listing, mirrored in the May 16 hearing agenda. HB 3931 has no work session set, but a public hearing was held on May 2 to create a Task Force to consider a coordinated state portal for licensing, applications, etc. League testimony was updated verbally to include new information from the staff summary on the background of state websites (first in the video agenda, League at 26.30). HB 3382 is up for a May 28 work session in House Rules, directing the Secretary of State to maintain an online Rulemaking Information system. Sen. Sollman asked about this concept of a central state rulemaking site in the context of the HB 3931 follow up information presented on May 16, above. Elections By Barbara Klein SB 580 A-Eng. This Senate bill passed unanimously in that chamber and had a first reading in the House where it has been referred to the Rules Committee. The bill requires more and quicker transparency when candidates file information. Concessions were made to accommodate challenges between large/small, urban/rural counties. This bill would help the League’s voter service work. Without comment, SB 44 was passed over in the agenda on May 14th at which time it was to have a work session. While re-scheduled for May 19th, that work session was later removed from the committee agenda. An attempt to reach a committee member on this matter was unsuccessful. Related to elections, SB 44-4 (for which the League provided testimony ) changes statutes to account for vote recounts, tallying or write-in votes when using Ranked Choice Voting, which four Oregon jurisdictions currently do. Another amendment to the bill changes the language of voter registration “cards” to “applications”. HB 5017 relates to the financial management of the state library. There was a work session held on 5/15 by the Joint General Government Subcommittee . At that time the 2025-2027 budget, as recommended by the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) for HB 5017 and -1 and -2 amendments, was passed and sent to the full W&M committee. Not everything that had been requested for the library system was granted, but there were increases in the budget, representing levels of inflation only. LFO analysis can be viewed here . The League submitted testimony in February on the bill. In part, that testimony stated: “ The Oregon State Library lists partnerships with 39 organizations, the League of Women Voters being one of them. We have been partners for many years, supplying information about Oregon elections. The State Talking Books Library helps us provide voting information that is accessible to the Library’s registered clients.” Artificial Intelligence (AI) By Lindsey Washburn HB 3936 A regards acquisition of AI from other countries. Rep. Nathanson's office called for confirmation of the League's position on this bill based on our previous testimony. We support the bill passed with amendment to remove "country of origin." The bill passed the House and is now back to JLCIMT. HB 2299 Enrolled added deepfakes to the category of unlawfully disseminated intimate images. Passed and the President has signed. The League supported this bill but did not submit testimony. Rule Making By Peggy Lynch A number of bills related to agency rulemaking and the role of the legislature, many of which are listed below, are getting work sessions.The League and others have concerns about many of these bills. The legislature’s job is to set policy. The agencies are responsible for implementing that policy.That action often requires rulemaking to clarify the details around that implementation. But the League is concerned when legislators “get a second bite at the apple” by relitigating the legislation when rulemaking is only meant to implement, not change policies or facilitate an agency’s mission.Blurring those lines is problematic. HB 3569 , a bill that would require a Chief Sponsor (legislator) of a bill to be a part of a rules advisory committee for legislation they had a hand in passing, passed the House and now goes to Senate Rules. The League continues to follow the bills listed on the March 17 agenda of the Senate Committee On Rules since some of the bills relate to the process of rulemaking ( SB 437 , SB 1006 , SB 370 , SB 483 ) and SB 411 , SB 895 also in Senate Rules and HB 2454 in House Rules. Separately, the League was invited to a conversation among state agency rules staff on addressing concerns of the Governor and in an attempt to standardize the process statewide. The Governor has provided Rulemaking Guidance to state agencies: This document includes questions received from agencies since the Governor’s letter. This document includes additional resources for agencies including direction to post updates to the Transparency site, a website template that agencies can use (if they choose) to develop their pages, and links to other comprehensive agency rule making sites to review. There is a broader discussion to increase transparency and consistency in the state agencies’ rulemaking process. A second meeting related to the state agency rules process is set for June with an invitation to the League to continue to participate. We are concerned with HB 3382 , since the requirements of the Secretary of State to gather ALL the state agencies’ rulemaking, including all materials, would be overwhelming. Individual state agencies provide that information on their rulemaking websites. Because the League is often engaged in rulemaking, we regularly comment on legislation that would affect changes in Oregon’s current Administrative Rules. We have provided testimony in opposition to HB 2692 , a bill that would create complicated and burdensome processes for agencies to implement legislation with their rulemaking procedures. Sadly, a work session is scheduled for May 28 in House Rules. Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Revenue , Natural Resources , and Social Policy report sections.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 6/12 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to topic: Housing Gun Safety Immigration, Refugee, and Other Basic Rights Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona On June 6, the Legislative Fiscal Office and the Joint W&Ms issued their recommended budget to the Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee on SB 5511 , the Housing and Community Services Department (OHCS) budget: Legislative Fiscal Office's analysis . The Subcommittee recommends a total OHCS budget of $2,558,608,558 with the addition of 441 positions, a 28.5% increase from the 2023-25 current service level. The suggested budget includes: $111.2 million in General Funds to continue OHCS’s shelter and rehousing services that was funded in HB 5019 in response to the Governor’s emergency declaration on homelessness. $24.1 million in General Funds to provide operating support to existing shelters. $55 million for rental assistance, and $6 million for services to tenants. $10 million in General Funds for down payment homeownership assistance. $2.5 million for decommissioning and replacing manufactured housing. $9.7 million in General Funds to capitalize OHCS’s predevelopment loan program and revamp the process to approve affordable housing finance applications from developers to shorten the time between project approval and construction, while helping smaller developers and projects. $136.8 million in Federal Funds expenditure related to wildfire recovery efforts, supported by a $422 million federal grant. Housing advocates are concerned that this recommended budget bill does not fully support the Governor’s end-of-session investments of an estimated $1 billion in bonding for new affordable housing developments to move the state towards reaching the goal of producing 36,000 in new housing units per year. Their priorities include: New rental and homeownership: $770 million in Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) bonds to Oregonians transitioning out of homelessness, seeking to buy their first home, or just needing an affordable place to live. This is especially true in rural areas that lack housing affordable to workers who provide critical services like education, public safety, and firefighting. HB 5005 and HB 5006 Market Cost Offset Fund: to increase housing production in support of the Governor’s request of up to $40 million in LIFT bonding to recapitalize the Market Cost Offset Fund (MCOF) for projects that have faced cost overruns due to market volatility. Permanent Supportive Housing: $130 million to LIFT for new construction, rental assistance, and wrap-around service delivery designed to reduce chronic homelessness. HB 5005 and HB 5006 Preservation of expiring regulated housing: $100 million in Lottery Funds to save and reinvest in some 163 apartment projects with 7,735 units that are at risk of losing affordability due to the expiration of 30-year affordability restrictions. The people who live in these homes are seniors, people experiencing disabilities, and families just starting out. HB 5030 New homes for homeownership: $100 million in LIFT and the General Fund to affordable homeownership developers who need a combination of LIFT bonds and general fund resources to build homes in all parts of the state. General fund dollars paired with LIFT will ensure that mission-driven developers can build hundreds of homes for first-time buyers, directly addressing the persistent racial homeownership gap. Acquisition and rehab of manufactured housing parks: $35 million in Lottery funds. HB 2983 Gun Safety By Marge Easley As part of the compromise agreement for the Republican’s return to the Senate chamber, the three-part gun safety bill, HB 2005 B , was considerably altered at a Senate Rules work session on June 15. The -B12 amendment was adopted, which includes only the ban on unserialized firearms (“ghost guns”) and removes the provisions raising the minimum age of firearm purchase to 21 and the ability of cities to establish gun-free zones. The bill is now in the Senate for passage. The compromise agreement also included the stipulation that a workgroup will be established to study policy solutions to gun violence and suicide prevention and $10 million will be invested in the Community Violence Prevention program. Immigration, Refugee and Other Basic Rights By Claudia Keith SB 610 A : Now in JW&Ms. Establishes Food for All Oregonians ( regardless of documentation status) Program within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Fiscal , Staff Measure Summary . The fiscal may show up in the end of session budget balancing bill. Recent News: ‘Dozens of advocacy groups disappointed food assistance bill fails’ – Oregon Capital Chronicle HB 2905 : Expands the list of individuals whose histories, contributions and perspectives are required to be included in social studies academic content standards and in related textbooks and instructional materials. At Senate Desk awaiting Third Reading.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Legislative Report - Week of 2/17 Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Jump to topic: Behavioral Health Child Care Criminal Justice Education Housing Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum Public Safety Behavioral Health By Stephanie Aller On February 10, the House Committee on Education held a work session on HB 2596 (Interstate Licensure Compact for School Psychologists). The Committee voted to move the bill to the floor with a “Do Pass” recommendation. Rep. Neron will be the carrier of the bill on the floor. On February 11, the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care held public hearings on HB 2013 and HB 2041 . HB 2013 would amend ORS 743A.168 to include outpatient treatment clinics that employ certified alcohol and drug counselors (CADCs) as providers for purposes of mental health insurance coverage. Phil Broyles of Teras Intervention and Counseling testified that most private insurers will not reimburse CADCs for doing the same care as other providers. This has limited access to care because CADCs are a significant part of the workforce for substance use disorder treatment. HB 2041 would require insurers to reimburse mental health providers at the same rate as physicians and other medical providers when performing the same services. Representatives from insurance companies testified in opposition to the bill stating that it would drive up costs. The representative from the Oregon Psychological Association (OPA) testified that OPA was neutral on the bill but stated that the problem of low reimbursement rates is the major factor limiting access to care. Due to the low reimbursement rates, behavioral health providers opt out of participating in the insurance networks. HB 3185 was scheduled for a hearing on February 13, but the hearing was cancelled due to the weather. The bill involves a pilot program for students from Portland State University and Eastern Oregon University. The students receive a tuition reduction and placement at a non-profit . HB 3185 would prioritize those students whose studies focus on underserved fields such as behavioral health, housing insecurity, and K-12. On February 11, the Senate Committee on Health Care began a public hearing on SB 140 . At the hearing, behavioral health executives from hospitals testified about their reimbursement rate problems and discussed ways to better coordinate care and streamline processes in the system. The hearing was carried over to February 13, but that was cancelled due to the weather. Child care By Katie Riley The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education held an informational meeting on Monday, February 10 to review the Oregon Department of Education's (ODE) three reports on the results of the 2024 Legislative session on HB4082 which provided $30 million for 2024 summer learning and set up a task force to plan for the future of summer and after school. They include a Final Report on the task force as well as a report on the process of implementing funding and a participant survey . The ODE review in the legislative committee was glowing about the results of summer school activities; however, the Oregonian reported concerns about inadequate and uneven tracking of goal outcomes. In addition, there was no split between summer school outcomes and after hours care spending and outcomes. Reporting on the use of community-based organizations did not differentiate between care and enrichment organizations, and there was no attempt to look at their effectiveness. Funding is key to providing adequate care during non-school hours. SB896 was heard the previous week. It would allocate funds for after-school care. HB3039 which provides for summer funding has not been heard yet. Neither bill has a funding amount attached at this time although the Governor has proposed $78.5 million for summer funding. ODE’s HB4082 final report included $50 million per year for the next two years. League Testimony supported HB3011 which Establishes the Early Childhood Education Workforce Development Fund and appropriates moneys in the fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to provide funding to community colleges and public universities in this state that offer early childhood education degrees and certificates. No funding was attached to the bill. Potentially, these funds could also support afterschool staff. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley The League submitted supportive testimony on February 13 for HB 2233 , which continues funding for a legal services program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. The Re*Membering program, established by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, provides legal assistance to adults in custody or those newly released for civil matters that are barriers to successful reentry into the community, such as child custody, divorce, domestic abuse, debt, housing, employment, or property. Education By Jean Pierce Testimony was prepared for two bills which were scheduled for a Public Hearing in the House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development on February 13. But since all committee meetings were cancelled due to inclement weather, the testimonies will be filed at a later date. HB3182 directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide affordable housing support to low-income students. A 2023 survey of Portland Community College students revealed that 56% were dealing with housing insecurity. HB3183 would appropriate money to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for the Open Educational Resources Program which provides no-cost, low-cost textbooks and course materials for higher ed students. A single textbook can cost as much as $600, so a 2022 survey of students at Oregon State University revealed that 61% had not purchased textbooks due to the cost. Open Oregon Educational Resources data collected over six years from Community College students in the state have revealed that “the average materials cost for the two-year Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree in 2021 was $1,143.62, a 47% drop since the study began in 2015”. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona Public hearings have been held on several housing-related bills to address our state’s low homeownership rate. According to Census data, Oregon’s homeownership rate is approximately 64%, ranking Oregon 43rd in the nation [ American Census Survey Homeownership Data ]. In addition, of the 74% of Oregonians who rent, 48% consider achieving homeownership a top priority. These numbers are even higher among younger generations, Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X (81-88%), and Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, and People of Color (96%). Oregon Realtors Statewide Housing Survey . Listed below are housing priorities of the statewide Housing Alliance, of which our League is a member. HB 2090 currently in the House Committee on Revenue is proposing to extend the manufactured dwelling park closure tax credit for displaced residents. The bill would mitigate the cost to manufactured dwelling park households who are forced to move due to market forces, development, or landlord closure. The tax credit sunset would be extended from 2026 to 2032 and allow for a refundable income tax credit of $5,000 for residents of manufactured dwellings who rent space and are displaced when a park closes. HB 3236 is a housing tax credit for lending for affordable homeownership. It expands the Affordable Housing Lender Fund to provide funds for origination and servicing of mortgage loans and related costs for eligible homebuyers. The state Department of Revenue is to allow a tax credit against taxes to a lending institution that makes a qualified loan to the Lender Fund to assist eligible home buyers. HB 3235 The state Housing and Community Services Department would award grants to organizations to support first-time home buyers to purchase residential property to build equity ownership in the residential property through below market interest rates and accelerated loan terms. This program would provide a new resource for homebuyers by blending private bank capital with state funding. HB 2698 sets a goal of attaining a statewide homeownership rate as determined by the American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau. It requires the Housing and Community Services Department to track goal progress as part of the Housing Needs Analysis. It is required to update a publicly available statewide housing production dashboard of progress toward the homeownership goal based on the homeownership rate and in the aggregate, and by race and ethnicity. Immigration By Becky Gladstone We are researching this immigration-related bill, not yet scheduled for a hearing. SB 703 directs DHS to give service providers grants to help noncitizens change their immigration status. Public Safety By Karen Nibler The House Early Childhood and Behavioral Health Committee scheduled a hearing for HB 3079 , which would require the Department of Human Services and the Housing and Community Services Department to study options for allocating 30 percent of their respective budgets in the 2027-2029 biennium toward reducing the number of youth aging into adult homelessness. Due to cold weather, the February 13 hearing will be rescheduled. The newly-emancipated youth at 18 can rarely afford to pay current rents without family or agency assistance. Those without family support require highly-paid jobs to afford current rent prices. Those in college programs can apply for rental assistance, but those without resources are not able to pay current rents. The Joint Addictions Subcommittee heard testimony on SB 782 on February 12, 2025. This bill is a follow-up on HB 4002 (2024) which provided funds for deflection programs within county mental health programs. However, those who testified reported that the initial funds through the Criminal Justice Commission grants were not sufficient to operate county-wide programs for housing, jail space and behavior health treatment programs. These programs are needed for those charged with alcohol and drug offenses and subsequently supervised by county probation staff and state parolee staff.

Back to All Legislative Reports Social Policy Social Policy Team Coordinator: Jean Pierce • After School and Summer Care: Katie Riley • Behavioral Health: Trish Garner • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice: Marge Easley / Sharron Noon • Education: Jean Pierce / Stephanie Engle • Equal Rights for All Ballot Measure: Jean Pierce Kyra Aguon • Gender-Related Concerns, Reproductive Health, Age Discrimination: Trish Garner • Gun Safety & Gun Issues, Rights for Incarcerated People: Marge Easley • Hate and Bias Crimes: Claudia Keith/ Becky Gladstone /rhyen enger • Health Care: Christa Danielsen • Housing: Debbie Aiona and Nancy Donovan Note: Education reports after January, 2024, are included in Social policy reports. Education reports prior to February, 2024, can be found HERE . Please see the Legislation Tracker for 2025 Social Policy bills . Jump to topic: Age-Related Issues Behavioral Health Criminal Justice Education Gun Policy Hate Crimes Housing Legislation Immigration Age-Related Issues by Trish Garner SB 548 has been signed into law by Governor Kotek. This bill establishes 18 as the minimum age for marriage. LWVOR testified in support. Behavioral Health By Trish Garner HB 2481A-11 passed unanimously in the Joint Committee on Addiction and Community Safety Response with a do pass recommendation and referral to Ways & Means. As one might discern from the number of amendments, this is a complicated and comprehensive bill which relates to individuals charged with a crime who have been found to be unable to assist aid and assist in their defense. Criminal Justice By Marge Easley HB 3532 A , which eliminates civil statutes of limitations for sexual assault survivors, unanimously passed the House on May 29 and now awaits a hearing in Senate Rules. This bill represents a major step forward in acknowledging the importance of removing arbitrary deadlines in the reporting of sexual assault, since it often takes many years before a victim is ready to come forward. According to the press release from bill sponsor Rep. Annessa Hartman, “Under current law, adult survivors have just five years from the time they discover the connection between the assault and their injuries to file a civil suit. For child survivors, the limit is five years from discovery or until they turn 40—whichever is later. But trauma experts and survivor advocates point out that the average age at which a child sexual abuse survivor comes forward is 52.” Education By Jean Pierce The Governor has signed HB 2586A into law. The bill permits an asylum seeker who is a student at a public university to receive an exemption from nonresident tuition and fees. LWVOR filed testimony in support. The Joint Ways and Means committee on Education and the Joint Ways and Means Committee both gave Do Pass Recommendations to SB 141 A . The bill requires entities receiving money from the State School Fund to measure student academic growth in mathematics and language arts. At the same time, the bill is intended to streamline grant-reporting processes. It also prescribes requirements for tools and support through coaching from the Department of Education if those targets are not met over time. The amendment allocates over $2.6 million to the endeavor. This amount is part of the calculation for SB5516 A which also received Do Pass Recommendations from both committees. In recognition of the revenue forecast, this bill would provide for an adjusted current service level of almost $11.4 billion. The committee is anticipating that local revenues will total $5.6 billion in the next two years, so total formula resources are expected to be more than $16.7 billion for the 2025-27 biennium. This represents a 10.5% increase over the 2023-25 biennium. The funds would provide a welcome boost, though it still falls short of the 30% increase recommended by the American Institute of Research which recommended a 30% increase in funding, with more attention to equitable spending for the education of low income and high needs students. Gun Policy By Marge Easley After many iterations, SB 243 B finally made it to the Senate floor, where it passed on a party line vote following long and impassioned speeches from both sides of the aisle. Prior to the vote, Republican senators attempted to substitute a minority report for the committee report, but as expected the motion failed. It will have a first reading in the House on June 2. SB 243 B was originally a four-part omnibus bill, but over the course of the session two provisions were stripped away to lessen its fiscal impact. The final bill bans rapid fire devices, such as bump stocks, and allows cities and counties to prohibit the carrying of firearms inside buildings where public meetings are held. This prohibition includes those with concealed handgun licenses (CHLs), which was one of the main points of contention during the floor debate . The League submitted supportive testimony on an earlier version of the bill on May 12. Hate Crimes By Becky Gladstone Coalition Against Hate Crimes update, May 13, 2025 LWVOR is a CAHC member. The challenge, we want more cross-state participation. Currently it is mostly PDX based. We’re hoping the coalition can expand to cover more events around the state by redesigning the website; to be posted in a few weeks: · Homepage, a history of the coalition, the importance of reporting hate crimes · How to report! Hot lines, education about civil rights violations · List of partners, with links, awareness of the need for privacy · The 4th page is for news, upcoming events, for justice. · Link to the DoJ dashboard. Upcoming EVENTS · Join us for World Refugee Day 2025 ! Soccer, stories, and community celebration for refugee, immigrant, and low-income youth. Friday, June 20 | East Portland. Create better relations to prevent a 2020 replay, to prevent violence toward activists & PDX Police, to pull in community members. We are a Sanctuary STATE & City. Fear that local police will be deputized to ICE. · Building bridges event, at Muslim Educational TRUST. We will come together in-person, with shared human values, to work for violence prevention. Cities- Portland, Gresham, etc., with youth voices and teachers from Reynolds School District, Centennial, David Douglas, etc. They are looking for projects they can do, working with the Portland Police Bureau Equity Office, Behavioral Health, substance abuse, violence prevention, music, artistic expression. Building Bridges East Community . · From the Antidefamation League , An Audit of Antisemitic Incidents . OR DoJ Hate crime reporting Closing the data year for Sanctuary Promise on May 31st, summary due in July. We’ve seen “pretty significant” increase in public body reporting from communities. The Federal Immigration Authority is reaching out for information that would violate sanctuary privacy. We expect new VISA request info at the end of June: What does it mean to be a new Sanctuary state, how we interact with federal agencies. Confusion is real with frequent changes, conflicting messaging for sanctuary, deputizing, posse comitatus reminds us of the old wild west “posse”. Hate crime patterns, looking at particular groups targeted, for example with COVID, the AAPI, seems to be more toward LatinX now. Housing By Nancy Donovan and Debbie Aiona SB 5011 is Oregon Housing and Community Services Department ‘s (OHCS) budget bill for the 2025-27 biennium. One aspect of the proposed bill is $6 million for eviction prevention services to address our state’s housing and homeless crisis. We have an urgent need to preserve and stabilize existing affordable homes. An Oregon Capital Chronicle May 29 article reports on our state’s eviction crisis: “Oregon sees a rise in eviction filings but rent assistance programs are working”. The article underscores the importance of eviction prevention programs to reduce eviction filings to help keep Oregonians housed. OHCS and legal aid programs such as the Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon are making this possible. Bills in Progress HB 2964 : Requires the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department to award loans to non-profit affordable housing developers to cover pre-development costs of developing new housing. The bill passed the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness on April 15. It was then referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Development, where a work session was held on May 21. A second reading was held on May 28, and on May 29, the bill was carried over to June 2 by unanimous consent. LWV testimony supports passage of the bill. HB 2735 : The House Committee on Revenue held a work session on the Independent Development Accounts (IDAs) bill on May 22. On May 29 the House Committee on Revenue recommended a do pass with amendments and the bill was referred to Tax Expenditures by order of the Speaker. The League submitted a letter in support. The Legislature created the IDAs program in 1999. The state matches participants’ savings up to 5-to-1. Money can be used to invest in the individual financial goals most important to each person’s own circumstances, such as buying a home or enrolling in higher education. The state tax credit that funds IDAs has not kept up with inflation. HB 2735-3 would raise the cap on the tax credit from $7.5 million/year to $16.5 million/year. The cap has not changed since 2009. If the Legislature does not act this session to “fix the funding” for IDAs, the program will shrink to serve 50% fewer Oregonians each year. HB 2958 : The House Committee on Revenue held a work session on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on May 22, and recommended passage with amendments. On May 29, the committee recommended passage of the bill with amendments and referred it to Tax Expenditures. The bill would extend the sunset date to 2032 and increase to 25 percent the EITC for families with children under three years of age. Other families with children will receive 20 percent of the federal credit. With the -2 amendment, the bill no longer extends the benefit to all childless working adults over age 18. The League submitted a letter in support. The bill, if passed, will put more money in people’s pockets and help avoid the trauma, instability, and costs to society and affected individuals that come from losing one’s home, deferring medical care, or missing meals. Immigration By Becky Gladstone and Claudia Keith Highlights - News League of Women Voters Files Brief Opposing Executive Order Attacking Birthright Citizenship | League of Women Voters A ttorney General Dan Rayfield Urges Court to Uphold Orders Blocking Trump Administration's Attack on Refugees - Oregon Department of Justice : Media Congress House budget bill cuts benefits, raises fees tied to immigration : NPR Axios: State Department seeks to create “Office of Remigration” New York Times: Afrikaners See Trump as the Ally Who “Heard Our Cries” BBC: Fleeing U.S. deportations, it took this family of asylum seekers three tries to enter Canada Hindustan Time: In Kenyan refugee camp, US aid cuts mean no period pads, no school Democracy Forward: Refugee Advocates to Court: U.S. Government is Attempting to Slam the Door Shut on People Fleeing Persecution ProPublica: Death, Sexual Violence and Human Trafficking: Fallout From U.S. Aid Withdrawal Hits the World’s Most Fragile Locations News from Homeland Security: Sanctuary Jurisdictions Defying Federal Immigration Law | Homeland Security Asylum seekers in Oregon can now qualify for in- state tuition | OPB Legislative Bulletin — Friday, May 30, 2025 - National Immigration Forum Oregon lawmakers will not move forward this year with a proposed agricultural labor standards board that would set wages and workplace conditions for farmworkers. Click Scroll Bar on Bottom of Table to View All Columns Bill # Description Policy Committee Status Fiscal M$ Chief Sponsors+ Comments SB 149 A Immigration (support services ) JWM waiting for Fiscal Y Sen Jama -3 amendment SB 599A Immig status: discrimination in RealEstate transactions Waiting for Gov to sign N Sen Campos House passes 5/19 SB 611 Food for All Oregonians - for undocumented JWM 8 Sen Campos Rep Ruiz amendment -1 SB 703 a bipartisan immigration status update funding bill JWM 6 Sen Reynolds, Rep Neron, Ruiz, Smith G Testimony HB 2548 Agricultural Workforce Labor Standards Board. H Rules PC: No recommend dation Rep Valderrama, Nelson , Munoz League Testimony HB 2976 funding for interpretation of indigenous languages. JWM 1.5 Rep Hartman HB2788 funding to nonprofits to assist w lawful permanent resident status / legal aid - HC ECHS - JWM dead Rep Neron, Ruiz, Sen Reynolds * likely end of session Reconcilation Bill HB 2586 A nonresident tuition exemption for asylum seekers. Gov Signed RepHudson, SenCampos League Testi mony HB 2543 funds for universal representation and gives funds to Oregon State Bar for legal immigration matters HC Jud dead 15 Rep Valderrama, Sen Manning Jr, Rep Walters, Andersen, McLain, Sen Campos DAS - see sb 703 HB3193A Farm Worker Relief Fund JWM 10 Rep Marsh, SenPham, RepValderrama OHA HB 5002 Oregon Worker Relief Fund (Prev yr legal rep funds eliminated) JWM WS was 5/29, passed LFO d etails Amendment Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency , Governance , and Natural Resources , and Revenue report sections.

/ Advocacy / Protecting Voters. Improving Elections. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed. Get tips on effective advocacy. Learn how to communicate with your legislators. Advocacy In Oregon Legislative Reports Published weekly during each legislative session, this report covers news from the Capitol. Read More Advocacy In Oregon Our Testimony Read our testimony letters related to gun safety, governance, education, climate action, and more. Read More Advocacy In Oregon Campaign Finance In Oregon A historical look at campaign finance in oregon. Read More Advocacy In Oregon Committees and Coalitions LWVOR Advocacy Team members serve on legislative workgroups and committees. Read More The Power of Nonpartisan Advocacy The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization committed to empowering voters and defending democracy. We advocate for issues, not parties or candidates, and believe in free, fair, and accessible elections for all. Read more Sign Up For Email We Need Your Support Today! Donate Your donation empowers voters and defends democracy.

Become a member of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. / Join / Get Involved Attend An Event Events take place around the state. Button Become a Member Join your local League! Button Donate Support our work. Button Learn more Empowering Oregon voters. Button Button Button Button Button Volunteer With the League Volunteers are vital to our success. There are plenty of ways to get involved with the League depending on your interest, skills, and availability. Check out the various volunteer teams below. Training and mentorship is provided in all areas! Climate Emergency Advocates year round for a variety of agency rules, policies and budgets that are consistent with the best available climate science and that will ensure a stable climate system for future generations. LWVOR supports the Our Children’s Trust/Crag Environmental Law Center state and federal lawsuits and we oppose expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. Volunteer opportunities: -Following policy at the state and local levels. -Training with LWVOR Advocacy Committee. -Working with legislators to affect policy changes. -Drafting Letters To the Editor, testimony, Action Alerts, and more! Areas of interest: -Natural and Working lands -Transportation -Climate Related Lawsuits -Public Health Climate Adaptation -Oregon Treasury: ESG investing and fossil fuel divestment Main contact: Claudia Keith - climatepolicy@lwvor.org Links: Climate Emergency Reports Protecting Democracy Governance advocacy issues including ethics, efficiency, citizen participation and access, public access law, and contemporary privacy and technology issues. Election policies include laws and administrative rules, campaign finance, redistricting, and alternative voting methods. Areas of interest: -Redistricting -Campaign Finance -Cybersecurity -Voting Rights -Elections Main contact: lwvor@lwvor.org Links: Governance Reports Redistricting Campaign Finance Social Policy The broad Social Policy area includes: housing, adult corrections, judiciary, juvenile justice, public safety, gun safety, violence preventions, health care, mental health, immigration and refugees, foster care, social services, and women’s issues. Actively lobbies for anti-poverty programs to help low income and at-risk people move toward financial stability. Volunteer opportunities: -Following policy at the state and local levels. -Training with LWVOR Advocacy Committee. -Working with legislators to affect policy changes. -Drafting Letters To the Editor, testimony, Action Alerts, and more! Areas of interest: -Human rights -Immigration, Refugees & Asylum Seekers -GLBTQ+ -Basic Human Needs Main contact: Jean Pierce - SocialPolicy@lwvor.org Links: Social Policy Reports Natural Resources Works year-round on improving air quality, combating climate change, coastal management, clean energy, proper disposal of hazardous materials and solid waste, conservation, land use, parks, clean and abundant water supply for all, wetlands protection and other resource preservation, and budgets related to Oregon’s 14 natural resource agencies. Volunteer opportunities: -Following policy at the state and local levels. -Training with LWVOR Advocacy Committee. -Working with legislators to affect policy changes. -Drafting Letters To the Editor, testimony, Action Alerts, and more! Areas of interest: -Air Quality -Land Quality -Recycling and Waste Prevention -Coastal Programs -Fish and Wildlife -Columbia River Gorge -Geology and Mineral Industries -Oregon Marine Board -Parks and Recreation -Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Main contact: Peggy Lynch - peggylynchor@gmail.com Links: Natural Resources Reports Education Follows student success, early learning, career technical programs (CTE), PK-12 and higher education. We advocate minimizing barriers impacting education for children at risk or historically underserved and underachieving youth. We advocate for best mental health practices for teachers and students in an ever- changing environment. Main contact: Jean Pierce - socialpolicy@lwvor.org Links: Education Reports Youth Engagement Join our Youth Outreach committee for opportunities around youth civic engagement, mentorship, event support, and voter outreach. Support our growing Youth Council operated by young Oregonians from around the state and our award-winning Oregon Student Mock Election! Examples of volunteer opportunities: -Mentoring Youth Council members -Supporting Oregon Student Mock Elections in your local schools -Supporting youth civic engagement events -Youth voter registration drives at high schools and college campuses Main contact: Diana DeMaria and Mimi Alkire - youthoutreach@lwvor.org Links: Youth Council Oregon Student Mock Election Voter Engagement Do you have a passion for being an election observer? Are you interested in helping host a forum for local candidates on the 2026 ballot? The LWVOR Voter Service team is interested in talking to you! We are looking for volunteers who are interested in many aspects of the Voter Education process, including helping run a voter registration drive, researching ballot measures, distributing Voters’ Guides to local locations, and more! Examples of volunteer opportunities: -VOTE411.org candidate and ballot measure reasearch -Voters' Guides -Voter registration drives in your community -Election forums -Election observers Main contact: lwvor@lwvor.org Links: VOTE411.org Voting In Oregon Let's Make A Change Here are some ways you can donate: Donate By Mail The League of Women Voters of Oregon 1330 12th St SE Suite 200 Salem, OR 97302 Online Make a tax deductible donation‏. Click to Give Investments Learn more about giving to the League. Learn more

Learn more about Oregon's safe and secure Vote-By-Mail process. / Voting / Vote By Mail / Vote By Mail Best Practices In Oregon Oregonians love Vote By Mail! 💌 Oregon was the first full Vote by Mail (VBM) state. Of course, we can vote in-person at Elections offices. LWVOR encourages voters to save Oregon taxpayers the prepaid postage cost. Use the ballot dropboxes (Oregon Drop Box Locator ) 🗳️ when you can! The League posts this map on our site during election seasons. Put in your address to find your nearest ballot dropbox, and find your ballot information on Vote411.org . See Oregon’s Vote By Mail Procedures Manual . It is posted with other elections’ manuals and tutorials . We hope these videos and FAQs will help you! Please contact us if we can help, lwvor@lwvor.org . Watch Election Security With Vote by Mail This video is about Election Security with the Vote-by-Mail process in Oregon. Watch Now FAQs about voting in Oregon BIPOC Support & Voter Turnout Measuring Effectiveness Best Practices Counting Timelines Securing Ballots Public Messaging Who are key allies for supporting VBM? Do they include BIPOC groups, the disability community, etc.? The ACLU, Common Cause, and political parties are regulars, and they may not work directly with LWV. Disability Rights Oregon is very active but strictly advocates for their limited constituency, not to benefit voters overall. The State Library, TBABS, Talking Books and Braille Services, works directly for vision-related concerns. Keep in mind those advocating for current ballot measure issues, eg League of Conservation Voters, education communities, etc. What research or data can you share to show that voting by mail actually increased turnout, especially among underrepresented groups? See The SoS Election Statistics page for general, primary, special election turnout, and ballot return history since 2000. OR VBM statistics , a comprehensive history, from 1981 up to 2006. Watch The Path of a Ballot in Multnomah County Have you wondered what path your ballot takes from being produced, cast and counted? Here are some answers. Watch Now More Resources 🎥 Marion County Clerk Bill Burgess talks Voting Security 🎥 How Lane County Elections Processes Your Ballot 🎥 LWVM-P & Oregon's Elections Director on VBM

Positions of the League of Women Voters of Oregon. / Studies / LWVOR Positions / Position Index LWVOR Policy and Position Statements Governance Campaign Finance Re form LWVOR uses the LWVUS position on campaign finance reform as the basis for legislative and statewide action. Members adopted the position in 1973 following a study initiated by the 1972 Convention. The League supports measures to “improve methods of financing political campaigns in order to ensure the public’s right to know, combat corruption and undue influence, enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office and promote citizen participation in the political process.” Citizen Participation and Access “The League of Women Voters believes democratic government depends upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings, and making public records accessible.” LWVUS Principles “We must promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive.” LWVUS Representative Government position Citizen participation and access are also important parts of LWVOR positions on Land Use and the Judicial System, and LWVUS positions on Campaign Finance, Citizens Right to Know/ Citizen Participation, Environmental Protection and Pollution Control, Natural Resources Public Participation, United Nations, and International Relations Trade Policy. Because of these scattered positions, we collect here our combined history of advocacy for Citizen Participation and Access. Civil Discourse “Promote civil discourse through action and education for all government bodies, staff, and citizens for the purpose of improved public policy decisions and processes. Civil discourse means, at a minimum, mutually respectful, courteous, constructive, and orderly communication.” Constitutional Provisions - Adopted 1963; Revised 1980 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the Oregon Constitution should be a basic framework of state government, free of obsolete material and statutory detail. It should guarantee basic democratic rights to the people of the state by: Providing a bill of rights; Reserving initiative and referendum powers to the people. The Oregon Constitution should provide for a legislative assembly that is: Apportioned on a population basis, under a system that provides flexibility, adequate safeguards and enforcement procedures ensuring reapportionment after every federal census; Adequately salaried with the amount of salary specified by statute; Permitted to meet in annual sessions. The executive branch should be strengthened by provisions: Fixing authority and responsibility in the office of governor. The governor should be given the power to reorganize the administrative functions of the state government subject to legislative review and possible veto; Limiting the number of departments; Granting the power to appoint department heads to the governor with the consent of the Senate; For an item veto and an executive budget; Setting salaries by statute; Allowing no constitutional impairment of the state civil service system. Administrative – Post Audits (concurrence, 1980) Post audits of state and local governments should be conducted in an apolitical manner. The office performing post audit should function independently of the Legislature and the executive department. The office should be given appropriate enforcement tools. The Oregon Constitution should provide for a judicial system uniform in organization and administration with: Full time, legally trained judges paid by the state; Rule-making power vested in the Supreme Court; Mandatory retirement of judges; Judicial appointments that are made by the governor from a slate presented by a judicial nominating committee. The Oregon Constitution should provide for effective local government (1943, 1963) by: Allowing city and county home rule; Reserving to the Legislature authority to provide for local government flexibility to meet future needs. Revision of the constitution in the future should be permitted by use of the constitutional convention, initiative amendment, or legislative amendment. Statutes, constitutional amendments, and administrative decisions that implement these positions may be supported by the League. Individual Liberties The League’s Position: Statement of Position on Individual Liberties, as Announced by National Board, March 1982: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced that individual rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged. Privacy and Cybersecurity - Adopted: January 2021 ; Amended January 2021 Cybersecurity is the prevention of damage to, protection of, and restoration of computers, electronic communications systems, electronic communications services, wire communication, and electronic communication, including information contained therein, to ensure its availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation. This position statement addresses Elections, Information Security, Personal Information Protection, and Electronic Business and Social Media. Elections Security The election process is the foundation of our representative form of government. Election integrity, accuracy, transparency, and trustworthiness require vigilance to ensure security protections. Security requirements include and are not limited to: verifiable ballots; ballots that can be recounted and audited; up-to-date hardware and software, supported by vendors, tested, and secure; protected voter registration databases; election staff/volunteers with cybersecurity expertise; cyber-damage contingency plans; risk-limiting audits; attention to disinformation and misleading ads. Protect voters’ ability to exercise an informed opinion on electoral matters. Explore limiting the unfettered electronic circulation and amplification of election misinformation (e.g., targeted disinformation campaigns, manipulated media, anonymous disinformation, and algorithmic and robotic disinformation campaigns). Information Security Government, individuals, and organizations (including the private sector and critical infrastructure), all require strong cybersecurity protections and effective deterrents to assure national security, economic and social stability, and personal information integrity. Create consistent information privacy laws and regulations across all organizations (government, private, for-profit, and non-profit) that eliminate gaps, inconsistencies, and overlaps. Regulate all technology-enabled organizations (e.g., internet platforms, online intermediaries, business-to-consumer platforms), not shifting sectors, so that organizations are subject to a uniform set of laws and regulations. Regulate all categories of information in the same way, regardless of the type of organization or sector that collects that information. Apply a baseline set of regulations to all types of information, regardless of the type of organization or sector collecting that information. Apply regulatory requirements to organizations according to their size and complexity, the nature of data covered, and the risk posed by exposing private information. All information (including third-party data transfers) needs sufficiently flexible protections to address emerging technologies and scientific evidence while serving the common good by balancing the demands of stakeholders and vested interests. The ubiquitous information and communication technologies (ICT) of today’s pervasive digital services, platforms, and marketplaces require a global governance perspective to address their societal and economic impacts: Harmonize laws and regulations across jurisdictions to protect individuals and assure the trustworthy flow of information across all boundaries—government, organizations, industry sectors, states, and countries. Aim to develop flexible regulatory structures that can quickly adapt to social and scientific realities and technical and economic policy challenges. Use forward-looking, collaborative mechanisms such as experimentation and learning, test-and-evolve, and post-doc effectiveness reviews. Incentivize specific outcomes that facilitate anticipating and adapting to rapid changes. State laws that become inconsistent with future comprehensive federal privacy standards may be preempted, while more stringent laws may remain. At a minimum, citizens' information protection rights should be comparable to those of citizens around the world—both current and future protections that may be established. Current European Council personal information protections include the ability to: be informed of what personal information is held and why access information held by an entity request updating or correcting of information request manual processing in lieu of automated or algorithmic processing request transfer of information to another entity withdraw prior consent to process data or object to specific situation consent request deleting personal information. Personal Information Protection Uniform privacy rights need to protect personal privacy and prevent known harm. Establish uniform information protections for personal and behavioral data that can be linked to an individual or devices. Prevent harmful uses of personal information by all information processors who collect, store, analyze, transfer, sell, etc. Expand the legal definition of “harm” to include physical, monetary, reputational, intangible, future, or other substantial injuries and to provide individuals the right to legal remedy. Assure that personal information collection, use, transfer, and disclosure for economic or societal purposes is consistent with the purpose for which individuals provide their data, and does not cause them harm. Shift the focus of information protection from individual self-management when submitting data (e.g., opt-in, obscure notice, and choice disclosures) to organizational stewardship in protecting individuals’ personal privacy. Expand personal information privacy definition to address rapidly changing information and communication technologies, accelerated networking between businesses, and automated collection and dissemination of data, which together subvert personally identifiable information, de-identification, re-identification, and data anonymization. Electronic Business and Social Media: Cybersecurity Responsibilities Organizations conducting electronic business and social media commercializing personal information both bear the responsibility for protecting information and must be liable for failure to protect individuals from harm. All organizations--including third-party receivers: Must protect individuals’ transferred information across multiple organizations to ensure end-use accountability. Have a duty to safely collect, use, and share personal, sensitive information. Should use comprehensive information risk assessments, take proactive measures to implement information security measures, and be held accountable for fulfilling these risk management obligations. Are held accountable for misuse of personal information by strengthening both state and federal laws, rule-making, and enforcement powers. We support the right of free speech for all. The digital tools of information and communication technology (such as algorithms and artificial intelligence) can selectively distort or amplify user-generated content. The resulting disinformation, digital manipulation, false claims, and/or privacy violations may endanger society or harm others. Compel private internet communication platforms (applications, social media, websites, etc.) to be responsible for moderating content. Define liability for damages and provide for enforcement for failure to moderate content. Economic Development Revenue Bonds - Adopted April 1983 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the authority to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds by the state, ports, and cities with more than 300,000 population. In issuing Economic Development Revenue Bonds, top priority should be given to those projects which diversify the economy and/or create jobs. However, consideration should also be given to assisting economically depressed areas and attracting industries to locate in Oregon. A possible unfair competition that might result from bond issuance should be examined at the local level. In addition to the Economic Development Revenue Bond program, the League of Women Voters of Oregon supports other state and local economic stimulants such as upgrading education at all levels and exploring various types of financing methods. Election Laws - Adopted 1987; Revised 1997 The League of Women Voters of Oregon recognizes that election procedures and voter information are critical elements to an informed and participating electorate. Registration Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes a variety of practices is necessary to provide the public with adequate information regarding where and how to register, under what circumstances and how to re-register, a notice of election dates, and the content of the ballot. The League supports: A registration process that is accessible, well-publicized and easily understood, as well as easy to implement and administer; Mail-in registration forms which are widely available; Oregon implementation of the National Voter Registration Act which includes registration process training for agency personnel and the designation of additional registration sites; Implementing a statewide centralized registration list; A registration cut-off requirement that does not disenfranchise otherwise qualified voters. Elections Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes elections should be conducted in a manner that encourages voter participation and supports: No more than four annual, regularly scheduled, election dates; A formula for cost-sharing between the state and the counties for the state portion of the primary and general elections; Evaluating the timing of the Oregon Primary; and Expediting the process for filling vacancies in federal offices. Voting Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes citizens are entitled to voting procedures that provide ease of ballot access and use and support: Use of vote-by-mail in all elections. Every effort should be made to preserve ballot secrecy to prevent fraud. Use of the permanent absentee ballot, provided methods and timelines for counting such ballots are improved, unless and until vote-by-mail in all elections is implemented; and Shortening the time between sending out mail ballots and their required return date. Voter Education Process. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the publication and distribution of a state Voters’ Pamphlet prior to statewide elections and believes that: The state has an obligation to provide voters with accurate information so that voters can make reasoned choices; All ballot measures must be included with official explanatory statements, an official advisory opinion on constitutionality, effects of a “yes” and “no ” vote, a fiscal impact statement, and summaries of the main arguments for and against the measures; The number of arguments for and against the measures to be included should be limited; The fees charged per page should more clearly reflect the actual costs; and Ballot titles and measures need to be stated in clear, concise language and should avoid confusing negatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a mandatory certification procedure for all county chief elections officials Election Methods Adopted 2017 The League of Women Voters of Oregon reco gnizes that election methods affect how voters participate in our democracy, who can run for office, and who can get elected. Therefore, the League supports election methods that: Encourage voter participation and voter engagement. Encourage those with minority opinions to participate. Are easy to use. Are verifiable and auditable. Promote access to voting. Promote competitive elections. Promote sincere voting over strategic voting. Discourage negative campaigning. Prevent political manipulation (e.g. Gerrymandering). Are compatible with vote-by-mail elections. The League of Women Voters of Oregon does not believe that plurality voting is the best method for promoting democratic choice in all circumstances. For single-winner systems, the League supports ranked-choice voting; we do not support range or approval voting. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports election systems that elect policy-making bodies–legislatures, councils, commissions, and boards–that proportionally reflect the people they represent. We support systems that promote stable government, but we do not support systems that protect the two-party system. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative election methods. If an alternative election method is adopted, then funding for startup and voter education should be available. The League of Women Voters of Oregon does not support nonpartisan elections for state legislators. (Previous position) Adopted 2009 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that any election method should be evaluated on its ability to: Promote voter participation. Be simple and easy for voters to understand. Be verifiable and auditable. Promote access to voting. Promote competitive elections. Prevent political manipulation. Be compatible with vote-by-mail elections. The League supports enabling legislation to allow local jurisdictions to explore alternative election methods, e.g. instant runoff or fusion voting. If a local jurisdiction adopts an alternative election method, that jurisdiction should bear the costs of startup and voter education. Only after experience and evaluation at the local level should the state consider alternative election methods for statewide adoption. The League does not support nonpartisan elections for state legislators. Emergency Board - Adopted 1982 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the use of t he appointed Emergency Board to provide fiscal adjustment between legislative sessions. The League endorses the practice of naming a majority of the members from the current Ways and Means Committee to the Emergency Board. However, balanced statewide representation should be required. The public should have the right to be heard by the Emergency Board. Its meetings should be publicized in advance and summary agendas should be readily available to the public. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that powers of the board should be reviewed by the Oregon Legislative Assembly. Areas to be reviewed should include: The definition of what constitutes an emergency; The discretionary ability of the board to make policy decisions in a forum where political accountability and public participation are limited. Since the position was adopted in 1982, opportunities for action have not arisen. Fiscal Policy – Tax System Adopted 1965-66, 1973; Revised 1971, 1973, 1979, 1984, 1992, 1993, 1999; Educational Update 1999* Evaluating Taxes . The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes any tax proposal should be evaluated with regard to its effect on the entire tax structure. The League supports the following criteria for evaluating taxes and tax systems. A tax system that is based on ability to pay, but that applies a benefits-received principle wherever reasonable and that recognizes the role of social expediency; A tax system that is equitable, adequate, stab le, easy to administer and as simple as possible; A tax system that takes into account the taxes levied by all levels of government covering the same tax base; A tax system that is flexible enough to adjust to social and economic changes (e.g., population shifts, development of new industry, demands for more services and changes in business cycles); A tax system that recognizes the individual’s responsibility for government services by providing for broad sharing of the tax burden. Fiscal Responsibility The League of Women Voters believes local government should have primary responsibility for financing non-school local government. Local services mandated by the state should have state funding. A tax limitation is justified if it provides safeguards in the regulation of state and local services and economy. A limitation is not desirable if it prevents provision of services, disrupts government functioning, inhibits progress or results in loss of local control. We believe economy should be achieved by efficiency and responsible administration. If cuts are necessary, preference should be given to cuts based on an established priority of services so that least essential services are reduced or eliminated first. Income Tax. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the income tax as the most equitable means of providing state revenue. The income tax should be progressive, compatible with federal law and should apply to the broadest possible segment of Oregonians. Sales Tax. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the adoption of a sales tax provided: The rate cannot be increased without approval of the voters; Regressivity is reduced through: a tax credit or rebate and exemptions for items such as food, rent and utilities. Property Tax. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the use of the local property tax for partially financing local government and local services. Exemptions to the General Property Tax The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes: Social values justify: exemptions to charitable, educational and benevolent organizations; exemptions to fraternal organizations only to the extent of actual charity performed; partial exemption of church property with fees to be paid for local government services directly benefiting the property, such as police and fire protection. Exemptions designed to create a favorable climate for attracting new industry should be competitive with those of other states. Economic values justify tax deferral and special assessment at less than real market value on farmlands and forest lands. Eligibility for an exemption should require: a verified statement of the taxpayer; proof of income from all individuals seeking an exemption on their homestead- if eligibility for the exemption is based on income. Exemption laws should be periodically reexamined to determine whether they are justified. Exemption of some classes of personal property is justified if a tax on them would be too difficult or costly to administer. School District Financing. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes: The major portion of the cost of public schools should be borne by the state. The state should provide sufficient funds to give each child an equal, adequate education. All specifically state mandated programs should be financed by the state. Local districts should be allowed funding alternatives to provide educational programs. Apart from state mandates, local control of the educational programs should be maintained. A stable state system for financing public schools is crucial for long range planning. Emergency Clause. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports removing the emergency clause restriction on revenue measures. The importance of such measures warrants: Either more support than a simple majority; or More signatures than currently required on a petition to refer. Initiative and Referendum Position - Adopted 1988; Revised 1996; Educational Update 2001* Statute Initiatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the constitutional right of Oregon citizens to propose or revise statutes through the direct initiative process. The League supports the following: Requiring a number of valid signatures not less than six (6) percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election at which a governor was elected for a term of four years; Requiring more than 25 signatures to file the prospective petition with the Secretary of State; Prohibiting legislative changes to an initiative statute for at least two years from its effective date, except to clarify implementation and to correct errors in form and style; Requiring an advisory opinion as to the constitutionality of each proposed initiative after it has qualified for the ballot. Such opinion should be published in the Voters’ Pamphlet; Limiting the time frame for collecting signatures to one year; Optional use of the indirect initiative. Constitutional Initiatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon discourages amending the Oregon Constitution by the initiative process. If amendments by initiatives are allowed, the League supports the following restrictions: Requiring a number of valid signatures not less than ten (10) percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last election at which a governor was elected for a term of four years; Requiring more than 25 signatures to file the prospective petition with the Secretary of State; Establishing a formula for a geographic distribution of signatures in order to reflect statewide interest in a measure; Requiring an advisory opinion as to the constitutionality of each proposed initiative after it has qualified for the ballot. Such opinion should be published in the Voters’ Pamphlet; Limiting the time frame for collecting signatures to one year; Requiring more than a simple majority of the total votes cast for the measure for passage; Exempting the Oregon Bill of Rights and revenue measures from the initiative process; and Using the indirect initiative process and scheduling discussion of a qualified initiative first on the agenda of the next legislative session. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the Oregon petition referendum process as provided in the Oregon Constitution. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that ballot titles should be stated in clear, concise language and should avoid confusing negatives. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes paying petition circulators by the signature. Paid petitioners must be required to identify themselves as such, personally and on the signature sheets. With reasonable restrictions, petitioners should be allowed to collect signatures in highly visible privately and publicly owned locations. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports publication and distribution of a state Voters’ Pamphlet prior to statewide elections and believes that: The state has an obligation to provide the voters with accurate information so that voters can make reasoned choices; All ballot measures must be included with official explanatory statements, an official advisory opinion on constitutionality, effects of a “yes” and “no” vote, and summaries of the main arguments for and against the measures; The number of arguments for and against the measures to be included should be limited; and The fees charged per page should more clearly reflect the actual costs. *Updated in 2001 for background information only – no position change. Recall Elections - Adopted February 2025 1. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that local and county elections operations must have adequate funding and staffing levels sufficient to meet public needs and provide for strong, ongoing voter education. 2. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes all elected officials should be subject to recall, but not during their first six months in office. 3. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that persons seeking the recall of a public official should state the reasons and specify grounds including malfeasance (acting unlawfully while performing duties), nonfeasance (failure to perform duties), serious crimes, lack of fitness, corruption, or incompetence. The grounds on which an elected official may be recalled should be described in Oregon statute. 4. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes an adequate recall election schedule should provide time for voter education and full participation in the election. The timeline should: a. Allow elections officials to provide ballots to overseas and uniformed-service members at least 45 days before an election. b. Allow new voters adequate time to be notified of their requirement to register before an election in which they wish to cast ballots. c. Allow time for elections officials, advocates, and civic organizations to engage prospective voters. d. Allow no more than 90 days to obtain signatures on a recall petition. 5. To ensure adequate time for elections officials and staff to oversee signature verification and prepare ballots, and to contain elections-related costs, the League of Women Voters of Oregon supports restricting recall elections to one of the four election dates identified in Oregon law. 6. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that recall petitions should provide detailed information about how seats vacated by a successful recall are to be filled after the election. This information should be provided by elections staff. Seats should be vacated for the shortest time practical, with a scheduled election allowing voters to choose their public official. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports filling vacated positions by interim appointment rather than through simultaneous election in which the proposed recall of a public official appears on the ballot alongside candidates competing simultaneously for that very office. 7. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that recall petition circulators should be required to be Oregon residents and that these circulators should wear visible identification indicating whether they are paid or volunteers. 8. The League of Women Voters supports disclosure of the sources and amounts of campaign-related funding for recall proponents and opponents, with such disclosure beginning early and occurring regularly and in a timely way, so that voters can learn about groups involved as petitions circulate. Oregon State Courts - Adopted 1979, 2007 The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms: The separation of powers provided in Article III, Section 1 of the Oregon Constitution; The treatment of the Oregon Judicial Department, the third branch of our state government, as a separate, independent, co-equal branch of state government. The League believes that: The State of Oregon should provide access to its courts that meets the diverse needs of all people who use the state courts. Judges must be free to decide cases based upon the facts of the particular case and the applicable law, independent of the influence of public opinion and political and partisan pressures. In order to improve the budget process and funding for the Oregon Judicial Department, the League supports: Adequate and stable funding to perform the Department’s core functions and critical services; Funding by the Legislature of mandated programs or procedures for the state courts; An independent compensation commission to set judicial compensation of state court judges. The state should ensure that counties are able to provide adequate court facilities, maintenance of those facilities, and security equipment and services. The League believes that the following criteria should be used in evaluating a system of selecting judges in Oregon. The system should: Be as free from political influence as possible; Encourage and attract the most competent and experienced people; Include a method of evaluating judges and judicial candidates. To preserve judicial impartiality and fairness and to protect the public’s perception of this impartiality and fairness, the League believes that efforts to obtain campaign finance reform in Oregon should include the financing of judicial campaigns. The League supports alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs (such as arbitration, mediation, and settlement conferences) as a way to resolve disputes in appropriate cases, recognizing that, in some cases, a trial will be necessary. In order to operate effective ADR programs, Oregon’s courts should, at a minimum, have: Adequate facilities in which to conduct mediation and arbitration processes; Availability of trained and qualified arbitrators and mediators; Financial assistance for those unable to afford access to ADR; Adequate and stable funding. The League encourages the development of specialty courts (such as commercial court) and problem-solving courts (such as drug and mental health courts) within the Oregon Judicial Department. In order to operate effective specialty and problem-solving courts, Oregon’s courts need: Adequate court staff; Facilities in which to hold hearings; Availability of service providers and outpatient and residential treatment; Adequate and stable funding. Open Primaries - Adopted June 2023 Adopted position is based on Concurrence with the LWV Maryland position LWVOR supports more open primary elections, either through: a. Party primary elections in which unaffiliated voters as well as party members would be permitted to vote in a primary election to choose the nominees of the parties; or b. Individual candidate-based primary elections in which all voters choose among all candidates from all parties on the same ballot with the candidates’ party affiliations listed. The subsequent general election ballot would include either i. predetermined number of candidates without regard to partisan affiliation; or ii. those candidates receiving a predetermined percentage of the total primary vote Redistricting - Adopted 2007 Congressional and legislative redistricting should advance the fundamental purposes of representative democracy and a republican form of government by affording the people a meaningful choic e in electing their representatives and holding the government accountable to the people. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the Oregon legislative and congressional redistricting system should be efficient, adequately funded, based on well-defined criteria, subject to a reasonable and effective timetable, and have an open and public process. Any redistricting plan should assure that voters are effectively able to hold their public officials accountable, responsible, and responsive, and be based on the following criteria: Adhere to all federal constitutional and legal requirements, such as that every district should have equal population, be contiguous, and meet the requirements of the Voting Rights Act; Promote competitiveness and partisan fairness; Consider other criteria, such as respect for political subdivisions, communities of interest, and geographic barriers. Any redistricting plan should be developed independently of the Legislature in a nonpartisan manner with substantial public input. The Legislature may be afforded an opportunity to review the plan and accept or reject it. The Oregon Supreme Court should promptly review and rule on any challenge to a redistricting plan and require adjustments if the criteria have not been met. Oregon should conduct redistricting only once during each decade follo wing the federal census. Natural Resources National Position The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems. Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health. Agriculture National Position: Statement of Position on Federal Agriculture Policy, as Announced by National Board, October 1988: The LWVUS believes that federal agriculture policies should promote adequate supplies of food and fiber at reasonable prices to consumers, farms that are economically viable, farm practices that are environmentally sound and increased reliance on the free market to determine prices. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE . Federal policy should encourage a system of sustainable, regenerative agricultural production that moves toward an environmentally sound agricultural sector. This includes promoting stewardship to preserve and protect the country’s human and natural agricultural resources. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT . Agricultural research, development and technical assistance should continue to be a major federal function. Resources should be targeted to developing sustainable agricultural practices and addressing the needs of mid-size farms. AGRICULTURAL PRICES . The LWV US supports an increasing reliance on the free market to determine the price of agricultural commodities and the production decisions of farmers, in preference to traditional price support mechanisms. AGRICULTURE AND TRADE . U.S. efforts should be directed toward expanding export markets for our agricultural products while minimizing negative effects on developing nations’ economies. Consistent with the League’s trade position, multilateral trade negotiations should be used to reduce other countries’ barriers and/or subsidies protecting their agricultural products. FARM CREDIT. Farmers should have access to credit with reasonable terms and conditions. Federally provided farm credit is essential to maintaining the viability of farm operations when the private sector is unable or unwilling to provide the credit farmers need. Of these policies, the League believes the most essential for the future of agriculture are: encouraging sustainable agriculture; providing research, information and technical assistance to agricultural producers; and increasing reliance on the free market to determine prices. Air Quality - Adopted May 1968 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that all segments of society (government, industry, agriculture and individual citizens) must share responsibility for improved air pollution abatement practices. In more specific terms, the League supports: Adequate standards for control of all sources of pollution and strict enforcement of established rules and regulations; A comprehensive, coordinated program for management of air as a natural resource; Adequate financing for air pollution abatement programs; More research to determine causes and effects of air pollution and methods of control, better coordination of research programs, and increased sharing of information. League agrees: Individuals, too, must recognize their responsibility in abatement programs and be willing to accept restrictions on their own activities, particularly with respect to automobiles and backyard burning. Effective public education programs are necessary if the public is to: recognize the seriousness of the problem; and appreciate the necessity to support improved pollution abatement. In general, industry must be prepared to pay the cost of abatement for its own pollution, but members recognize the usefulness of some form of financial incentives: to assist small or distressed industries; and to prevent undue delay in obtaining relief from pollution. The members prefer loans and direct grants over forms of tax relief. Polluters should bear the cost of pollution abatement in proportion to their contribution to the problem. (Actually everyone will pay, whether in taxes, in product cost, or in bearing the consequence of inadequate pollution abatement.) In considering Oregon’s relationship with other governmental units, League concludes: Because both the desirable air quality and the problems of pollution vary from one area to another: The state has a right to set higher standards for pollution than those set by the federal government. The state has a responsibility to set higher standards for pollution when local conditions demand it. Federal standards in all cases should be recognized as a minimum below which state standards cannot be set. As air pollution does not recognize state boundaries, participation in interstate compacts is desirable in order to control pollution on an airshed basis. Climate Change National Position On Climate Change : LWVUS supports a price on carbon emissions that will increase in stages, as part of an overall program to improve energy efficiency and to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, fast enough to avoid serious damage to the climate system. Revised June 5, 2016: LWVUS supports aggressive efforts to restore balance to the planet’s climate systems by reducing the atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million (ppm), the upper safe limit. The target set by scientists requires an immediate 8% global greenhouse gas emissions annually; in conjunction with carbon dioxide storage through mass reforestation, and soil management. Further, we support transitioning off of fossil fuels to alternative forms of energy: wind, hydroelectric, wave, tidal, geothermal, and solar; and prioritizing a just transition to all Americans. In 2016, LWVUS passed 3 resolutions: LWVUS consider signing onto an Amicus Brief with the 21 youth plaintiffs from Our Children’s Trust; LWVUS support the United States ratification of the UN COP 21 Paris Agreement; LWVUS should continue working for full implementation of the EPA Clean Power Plan, especially at the state level, as a first step, and should call on the White House to implement an updated science-based Climate Action Plan that stabilizes global warming by bringing CO2 levels down to no more than 350 ppm by 2100. Offshore and Coastal Management - Adopted May 1990, 2013 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes responsible and responsive government management of the public’s coastal and nearshore natural resources shall be based upon: A complete environmental assessment, cumulative impact analysis, and baseline data specific to Oregon. Recognition of coastal states and local government’s rights, jurisdictions, and responsibilities to preser ve and protect marine and coastal environment and economy. Federal government’s offshore activities must be consistent with Oregon’s approved Coastal Zone Management Plan. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports uniformity of regulations governing the coastal management zone, with opportunity for public input. Jurisdictions should have the ability to enhance regulations to better address local conditions. The League supports the development and maintenance of local comprehensive plans and development codes. Funding should be adequate for effective management and enforcement and should come from a variety of sources. The League opposes any revision, interpretation, or application of Oregon’s established marine policy that would diminish Land Conservation and Development Commission Goal 19’s strong environmental and natural resources conservation policy giving clear priority to long-term renewable resource uses. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes oil and gas exploration and development within the state’s territorial sea, and requests the state to oppose any federal lease sales within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off the Oregon coast. The ecological integrity, renewable natural resources, and beneficial uses of Oregon’s ocean water must be protected. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes exploration and development of marine minerals within the state’s territorial sea. The League supports academic research that would not adversely affect the ecological integrity, renewable natural resources, and beneficial uses of the state’s territorial sea. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a state policy that calls on the federal government to ban the exploration and development of marine minerals with the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off the Oregon coast. Should a ban not be effected, the following must be required: An unbiased, credible scientific E.I.S. should be completed prior to any offshore mineral exploration or recovery operation. Offshore mineral activities should be evaluated for degradation of the marine environment, risk to ocean fisheries, and coastal erosion problems. A complete socioeconomic impact statement of offshore developments effect on the states and coastal economy should be made. The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms the public’s right to be completely informed, actively involved and assured the opportunity to participate in decisions about offshore exploration and development, as well as onshore facilities that support offshore development. The League of Women Voters of Oregon endorses adequate industry-financed oil spill contingency funds, compensation funds, and company bonding for marine mineral mining activities to cover claims for damage caused by their operations, onshore support facilities, and transporting vessels. Governments and other claimants should be reimbursed for, but not limited to, the following: Oil spill clean-up costs. Loss of natural resources or loss of use of natural resources. Impairment of earning capacity. Damage to real or personal property and personal injury. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a policy which allows the state to terminate or modify a lease for environmental endangerment or for public safety within the state’s territorial sea. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the creation and operation of marine reserves and protected areas on the Oregon Coast. Siting and management of reserves should reflect a variety of factors, including habitat, species diversity, fisheries and tourism, with sound science being the most critical. The reserves should have identified goals, and continuous funding should come from multiple sources. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports active research into ocean energy technologies. Research should incorporate evaluation of impacts on marine habitats and the coastal economy. Funding should be from multiple sources. Commercial deployment should be allowed only after adequate scientific research is completed and regulations have been adopted. Monitoring should be ongoing with necessary actions and modifications taken to protect the marine environment. Commercial operations should agree to bear the cost of remediating and restoring any environmental damage. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports actions to restore and preserve estuaries to assure they function effectively in the long term. Measures could include additional reserves, streamside protection, planting, removal of invasive species, scientific research, restoration, and response to climate change. Funding should be from multiple sources. Estuary restoration should encourage education and volunteer involvement. The League recognizes that dredging may be necessary to keep deep-water channels open for maritime commerce. Prior to activity, environmental assessments must be completed to ensure protection of habitat. Design and execution should minimize damage to natural habitats. Recognizing that mining affects water quantity, quality, and habitat, mining practices should be strictly regulated to minimize damage and require restoration. In some instances, where preserving water quality and habitat is vital, mining should be banned. Energy Conservation - Adopted May 1973; Educational Update 2003* The members of the League of Women Voters of Oregon support state p olicies which promote long range planning for conservation and wise development of energy sources. The League believes the public should have an opportunity to influence decisions on the development of particular sources and the citing of specific installations. League supports: A governmental agency to evaluate power needs estimates and plan source development. This agency should include representatives of: utility companies, the general public, and all levels of government. Governmental programs to provide public education and information to encourage information participation in all power decisions, both for production and conservation. The League believes that in any decision to build a power plant: The most important consideration is environmental quality; Of lesser importance, but to be taken into account are: size of electric bills and prices of goods, industrial development, cultural standards. The League supports the following conservation measures: Rate structures encouraging the wise use of energy. To this end League favors: a low base rate for essential use, above this, higher rates to discourage waste. Government funding of research and development efforts to discover new technologies: to provide efficient methods for energy production and use with minimal environmental damage, emphasis should be given to renewable resources. Governmental programs to provide public education and information. Building codes which will specify standards of design and insulation that minimize waste of energy used for heating, cooling, and lighting. The League believes that state or region should be allowed higher standards for nu-clear plants than those set by the federal government. *Updated in 2003 for background information only – no position change. Nuclear Energy - Adopted May 1980 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the nuclear power program must be managed to protect current and future generations and to maintain an environment beneficial to life. Technical uncertainties must be publicly recognized and planned for, Responsibility for establishing and maintaining a waste system must not be deferred to future generations, and Effective coordination among all levels of government – federal, state, local – and the private sector is imperative in planning and carrying out programs for transportation, waste storage, and safety, with responsibility and authority clearly designated. Forests - Adopted at Convention, May 2021 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes: That all benefits of the forests—ecological, human and economic—are inextricably interconnected. Healthy forests are essential to habitat for a diversity of plant and animal life, to the hydrologic cycle, and to carbon storage to mitigate global warming. In addition, healthy forests are essential to a forest products industry with the jobs and goods they provide, and to the economic and aesthetic values of their recreational opportunities. Therefore, The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports: Laws and policies to ensure that forest management (for timber extraction, recreation or any other activity) is carried out in a manner that will sustain healthy forests, streams and habitats. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the following are essential elements of an adequate forest practices policy: The public must be informed and involved in the decision-making process in the development of regulations. There must be adequate public notice of forest practices permit applications, hearings, meetings and proposed actions. Public review and comment at each phase of policy and regulation development should be required. Citizens and stakeholders must be represented on the decision-making bodies; There must be authority and funding for enforcement of regulations. Existing land use and forest practices regulations must be monitored and enforced, and should be responsive to changing scientific knowledge. There must be coordination of regulations for public and private lands among governmental entities; Riparian zones are an integral part of the forest ecosystem and must be regulated adequately to protect the streams and the wildlife dependent upon the streams; (stet.) Education should be made available to timber owners on scientifically sound forest practices with the establishment of a small landowners’ agency for this purpose; Environmental values of the lands proposed for trade must be considered before the economic values; Trained appraisers, with public oversight, must be used. The right of appeal must be available to the public; Full accounting of all costs, including cumulative ecological impacts, of timber harvests and other forest uses must be considered in forest activity decisions; Forest management must be responsive to scientific research and knowledge and should include: mapping, classification and protection of all streams, more and better data—including total watershed analysis, evaluation of cumulative effects of various activities in the forest in the consideration of individual forest practice permits, and planning for sustainability of forest ecosystems. 9. The State should consider ecological protections the most important factor in deciding which activities to allow on state forest lands; 10. Motorized activities should be restricted and in separate areas from non-motorized activities Forest roads must be built, maintained and decommissioned to have the least impact on the forest ecosystems. Some areas on state lands should be roadless; 11. Educate consumers about the human and ecological values of our forests as well as the opportunities and benefits of more efficient use of forest products, recycling and the use of alternatives to wood; 12. Fund independent scientific research that would include improved forest practices and ecologically sound alternatives to the use of wood; 13. Tax benefits and compensation should be considered to encourage small landowners to manage their forests in an ecologically sustainable manner; 14. Oregon schools must be fully funded with less reliance on timber harvests; and Trust lands should remain in public ownership. Hard Rock Mining - Adoption of this position was ratified by the LWVOR Board May 2022. The League of Women Voters of Oregon recognizes society's need for key minerals, and also the potential harmful environmental, health, and human impacts that mining for these minerals can produce. Currently there is little hard rock mining in Oregon, and much of Oregon’s topography is not well-suited to mining. However, minerals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, and uranium have been mined in the past, and these and new minerals such as lithium may be mined in the future in Ore gon. Hard rock mining in Oregon is governed by a complex and interconnected set of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permitting processes, which include provisions for environmental protection, economic evaluation, and reclamation of mining sites. The League supports an approach to the overall regulation and oversight of hard rock mining that will: Modify leasing and permitting decision criteria to eliminate the dominance of mineral rights over alternate public land uses, environmental protection, and of ecosystem services such as biodiversity and climate regulation. Improve leasing, permitting, and oversight processes to assure ample opportunities for public disclosure and stakeholder comment. Modernize standards for policy review to ensure adequate protection of health, safety, other industries, air, water, habitats, and ecosystem services, and require mining operations on public lands to comply with all environmental regulations. Establish procedures to protect specific areas of critical environmental concern, for example, by allowing states, political subdivisions, or stakeholder groups to petition to exclude mining in special areas, and/or provide for expedited review of areas that may be inappropriate for mining. Further, the League would support reforms to federal mining laws and practices that will: Effectively repeal the directive in the Hard Rock Mining Law of 1872 that hard rock mining take precedence over all other uses of public lands. Strengthen and enforce mining financial responsibility requirements, so that they (a) compensate taxpayers for industry resource extraction on public lands, by establishing a system of permitting, leasing and royalty fees for domestic and foreign mining exploration, extraction, and revenues; and (b)establish funding mechanisms and procedures to reclaim mining sites, restore ecosystems adversely affected by mining operations, remediate environmental degradation, and provide for long-term monitoring. Finally, the League supports changes in Oregon's laws and practices that will: Strengthen existing statutory provisions for mine operators' reclamation bonds or alternative security, particularly as they relate to long-term site care and monitoring needs and ensure that permits issued by the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries include the costs of department oversight and review. Enhance opportunities for public input concerning mining on public lands, and adopt policies that support and encourage public participation in actions that may impact the State’s environmental resources and local economies. Promote and incentivize recycling programs that reduce consumption and support reuse and recycling of non-renewable virgin metal minerals, in order to reduce the mining and extraction of these materials and to protect and conserve other environmental and natural resources; adopt legislation that establishes metal recycling patterned after Oregon’s E-Cycles Program. Among the objectives of a metal recycling program would be: (a) developing consumer information and education on the economic and environmental value of reuse and recycling of metals; (b) providing free recycling at widely dispersed collection sites throughout the State; (c) promoting state and regional processing sites for refurbishment, recovery, and reuse of metal materials; and (d) funding DEQ administration and monitoring compliance at collection and processing sites. Hazardous Materials - No national position at this time Land Use - Adopted May 1995; Educational Update 2002* Citizen Participation Citizen participation, education, communication and ongoing reevaluation are essential elements in the comprehensive planning process. Recognizing the need for effective citizen participation, the League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the following factors should be considered in establishing citizen advisory groups in all jurisdictions within the state involved in land use planning: Representation on a broad socioeconomic , geographic and occupational basis. Appointment for a specific project with specified goals and terms, and provision for an adequate orientation to the purposes of the agency. Provision for communication among citizens, citizen advisory groups and planning agencies. The League of Women Vote rs of Oregon supports appointment of Citizen Involvement Committees (CICs), separate from planning commissions, to assist local governing bodies with their citizens’ involvement programs. Regional and Urban Growth The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a system of local government based upon constitutional home rule for metropolitan districts, counties and cities. The League recognizes certain principles of good local government. These are: Democratic representation and control. Basic simplicity with power to plan for future growth or change. Consideration of the interdependence of land use, transportation and environmental quality in all comprehensive plans. The League supports the establishment of a regional government in an area where planning and delivery of services can be more efficiently and economically provided by such a government. Statewide Planning The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) as the statewide planning agency. We also support the 19 statewide land use goals. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports policies that promote both conservation and development of land as a natural resource, in accordance with Oregon’s land use goals. Applying this principle, the League believes: The state should have the prime responsibility for establishing statewide planning goals and for supervising and coordinating comprehensive land use plans, with participation by citizens and by local and regional governments. The state, with citizen participation, should identify, regulate and enforce areas of critical statewide concern. Consideration of accurate information concerning water availability and quality should be a prime factor when making land use decisions. Taxation and assessment policies should support comprehensive land use plans. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports protection of private property rights commensurate with overall consideration of public health and environmental prot ection. *Updated in 2002 for background information only – no position change. Parks - Adopted January 1999 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that a parks system is an appropriate function of state government and should provide the following services: Acquire, protect and preserve natural, scenic, cultural, historic, and wildlife sites and other resources; Provide camping and a variety of other recreational opportunities, consistent with the natural environment; Offer interpretive and educational information and programs regarding the history, culture, and natural resources of the state and the features of specific parklands; Protect public ownership of beaches; Secure affordable and safe access to parks and ocean beaches. PROGRAM. The LWVOR believes that to be effective the Oregon parks system must have: Competent personnel in sufficient numbers; Clear assignment of responsibility; Adequate, stable funding; Coordination with different agencies and levels of government; Well-defined channels for citizen input and review; Consideration of local concerns when consistent with statewide public interest; Reasonable protection from crime and vandalism; Cooperation and coordination with the private sector when in the public interest; and Long-range planning. FUNDING . The LWVOR supports a balance and varied mixture of revenues for Oregon’s parks with the General Fund providing basic support for departmental operations. While the LWVOR believes user fees are sometimes appropriate, the League opposes them for non-intensive, brief visits. The sale of annual use permits is encouraged. Other appropriate revenue sources include but are not limited to recreational vehicle and automobile registration fees, lottery funds, and certain specific charges, such and bottle taxes. The Oregon parks system should actively seek donations of land, funds, facilities and services. SERVICE PROVISIONS . The LWVOR advocates the efficient provision of services in state parks under state supervision and control. In general, the League is opposed to the private management of parks but supports well-supervised contracts for services with a reasonable return for the Oregon parks system. Use of correction-system and volunteer labor is supported if it is well supervised. PLANNING. The LWVOR believes that the Oregon parks system requires a long-range strategic plan that includes periodic evaluation and is adequately funded. Such a plan should give high priority to: Preservation and maintenance of existing parks; Protection and expansion of public access to ocean beaches; Acquisition of additional park resources; Provision of campground facilities and day-use areas; and Protection of scenic waterways. Pesticides and Other Biocides - Study Completed 2021 - Position Adopted 2023 The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms that pesticides and other biocides should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems, and their use should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health, and that agriculture policies should promote farm practices that are environmentally sound and sustainable. LWVOR Supports: • Initial pesticide and biocide testing for registration has proven insufficient for preventing harm. We recommend increased testing by governmental agencies and third parties. We must identify and weigh benefits that balance safety versus toxicity, protecting food security while safeguarding public health and the environment. • Decisions for testing should be based upon a timeframe between 5 to10 years, or as new scientific data dictates. Varying weather conditions can greatly influence pesticide drift, impacting nearby bodies of water, schools, and communities including agricultural workers. The registrant of the Pesticide or Biocide currently bears the burden of proof for safety however the current regimen of tests is insufficient. • When approving the use of a Pesticide or Biocide we must consider: Risk to humans, animals, the environment, economic harm, cost to business, impact on food security, and the spread of invasive species and disease. • Pesticide labels should be improved to include: Regulations restricting use, hazards of use, best practices of use to minimize harm. Labels should be clearly written and easy to see and understand in multiple languages and use graphics to clarify explanations. • Federal and state agencies bear the responsibility for pesticide policy, based on research by pesticide manufacturers. These government agencies should also contribute to pesticide research with support from other groups. • We support using adaptive pesticide management, focusing on continual observation of current regulatory practice outcomes. As scientific advances reveal environmental and health impacts, as well as impacts on food security, the system should include the ability to rapidly react to new risk assessment data. 2019: The League supported SB 853 and HB 3058, which related to pesticides, including prohibiting chlorpyrifos and requiring licensing for neonicotinoids. They did not pass. Seismic Risks - Adopted March 1995 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that all levels of government share the responsibility of coordinating, implementing and funding an effective program to mitigate Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami hazards. Priority must be given to mitigation that protects human life and safeguards critical life support systems. The League supports: Educating the public about the grave significance of Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami threat and encouraging preparedness. Improving the safety of transportation systems and establishing alternate routes around bridges and overpasses which are likely to be unsafe after an earthquake or tsunami. Establishing tsunami warning signals and evacuation routes. Evaluating dams that threaten population centers and taking remedial actions, such as reinforcing dams, and developing maps and downstream notification procedures. LWVOR supports as essential elements of an effective earthquake and tsunami program: Comprehensive education efforts: All school children should be taught to understand Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami hazards and how to respond to various situations and conditions that may arise. Schools’ earthquake and tsunami plans, education and drills should be monitored and analyzed for adequacy. Improved preparedness: Federal, state, and local chain of command should be established and fully coordinated. The emergency communication system should be enhanced and regularly tested. Emergency Services should be accessible and housed in safe buildings. Citizens should be encouraged to develop emergency plans, including supply kits. When citing critical facilities, tsunami run up and inundation as well as seismic factors such as severe ground shaking, liquefaction, massive landslide potential, and subsidence should be considered. Geological reports identifying property at risk should be on file and accessible to the public. Property that poses extreme hazards should be designated as unbuildable. Solid Waste - No national position at this time. Water Policy – Quality and Quantity - Adopted April 2011; Replaced positions on Water Policy and Planning (adopted January 1977; revised March 1985) and Water Quality (adopted January 1969) The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that water is a resource that should be managed for the benefit of the public and as sustainable habitat for all life forms. The League supports Oregon state policies and statutes that promote comprehensive long-range planning for conservation and management of ground and surface water and the improvement of water quality. Regulating agencies that govern the protection and conservation of water should be transparent and provide the public easy access to information. The League supports management approaches that maximize interagency communication to include but are not limited to: Uniform definitions of “beneficial uses” and other terminology for both quality and quantity management, Coordination of activities including water allocation, measurement, monitoring/ testing, enforcement of water law and the promotion of water conservation, Well-defined statutory enforcement procedures and the funding to protect water resources held in common, and Recognition of the variability of local/basin/watershed quality and quantity needs. The League recognizes the application of historic prior appropriations of water but supports modifications in order to accomplish the following: Consider both in-stream and out-of-stream beneficial uses of water, Facilitate changes from one beneficial use of water to another, Provide incentives for water user conservation, Incorporate evolving scientific understanding of natural water systems in waste management, Develop priority uses for water in times of shortage, and Expand protection of in-stream beneficial uses such as minimum perennial stream flow. The League believes that the interdependence of land use planning and water planning must be recognized and required at all levels of government: Local comprehensive plans, watershed plans, basin plans, state and regional plans should be coordinated and complementary. Roles and responsibilities of all decision makers and agencies affecting water resource and quality issues should be clearly defined. The League believes that all planning for ground and surface water should include consideration for both the quality of the water and the availability of water to meet the beneficial uses. Planning at all levels should consider existing water rights and current and projected uses. The League acknowledges that this may be best accomplished at the watershed/basin level if adequate funding and professional staffing are available. Basin/ watershed water management should be efficient and economical, responsive to public need, flexible to allow for changes over time, and lead to conservation and allocation of the resource in the public interest. Transfers of water between basins should require coordination with planning and water use in both basins. The League recognizes that effective planning for water protection and use is most effective with a complete inventory of the water resource including all domestic wells and encourages moving toward this goal. Priority efforts should be directed to geographic areas with identified problems and vulnerabilities. The League opposes degradation of all of Oregon’s surface and ground water. The League supports policies and legislation that integrate water quality into resource management and include but are not limited to standards for: Potable water and drinking water treatment facilities, Placement and inspection of septic tanks and alternative individual treatment systems, In-stream surface water quality for recreational use, including primary contact sports, commercial and sport fishing, and habitat protection, Ground water quality for recognized beneficial uses, Agricultural, municipal, forestry and industrial wastewater discharge and runoff, Uniform water quality testing protocols– updated as scientific methodologies improve, Permitting and enforcement procedures with agency funding adequate to ensure timely compliance, Adequate, well maintained sewers and sewage treatment facilities and Control and treatment of runoff from non-pervious surfaces. The League recognizes that conservation strategies for surface and ground water, including but not limited to incentives, regulations and rationing in emergency situations, are needed to meet future demand. Individuals, agriculture, municipalities, forestry and industry should be encouraged to develop practices to reduce water usage and minimize pollution. Support should be provided for upgrading and maintaining the equipment necessary for water conservation. The League supports the need to build resiliency and innovation into water planning in order to address climate change impacts. Public involvement should be encouraged throughout the water management and planning processes. The processes should be transparent and include educational components. The League acknowledges that all water users must share in the cost of water management. Rate payers should have primary responsibility for infrastructure maintenance, delivery and conservation. The state should have primary responsibility for planning, research, data collection and public outreach. Permit fees should be a significant contributor to the development of infrastructure. Water Resources of the Columbia River and the Columbia River Task Force Adopted 1979 In order to meet the present and future water needs within the Columbia River Basin, the League of Women Voters believes comprehensive planning on a basin-wide basis for conservation, development, and management of the water is essential to the optimum utilization of our water resources. Machinery is needed which will: Provide coordinated planning and administration among federal, state, and other agencies; Establish a process for resolving conflicts among uses; Establish procedures which provide information and an opportunity for citizen participation in policy decisions affecting the directions which water resources development will take. The federal government has a necessary role in financing water resources development, but state and local governments and private users should share such costs, as far as possible, based on benefits received and the ability to pay. The League of Women Voters believes that wise planning for the use of water in the Columbia River Basin requires an inventory of the water resource within the Basin. This inventory should include all water-related information including: ground and surface water sources, viable water rights, current use, and projected future needs. The inventory should be readily available to concerned agencies and the general public. The League also believes that minimum stream flows should be established as a public right and maintained on all streams in the Columbia River Basin. Social Policy Adult Corrections Adopted August 1983 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that a full range of correctional programs should exist for adult offenders. The League strongly favors increased use of alternatives to incarceration where possible. The League supports alternatives at all stages of the criminal justice process, including but not limited to: pre-trial diversions, employment and educational programs, restitution, treatment centers for mental illness and substance abuse. The League strongly supports community-based programs such as those offered through the Community Corrections Act, especially those which allow inmates to be partially or wholly self-supporting. If more facilities are needed, the League favors: Minimum security regional treatment and/or program focused facilities. Adequate staffing and program must be part of any facility within the corrections system. Prison programs should provide each inmate with: educational and vocational training, opportunities for meaningful work, and adequate medical and mental health care. Maximum security prisons are needed for violent criminals judged dangerous to society. The League believes that comprehensive transitional programs are essential for successful completion of rehabilitation for each inmate released or paroled from a correctional facility. The League supports the adoption of sentencing guidelines that set parameters for judges throughout the state in order to reduce disparity in sentencing. Judges should be responsible for determining the length of sentences. The League supports continuation of the Parole Board. Child Care: Adopted March 1989; Updated Position 2025 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that child care is a social and economic issue that reaches beyond the family into the community. Quality child care needs to be available, accessible and affordable to all families for children of all ages and with differing needs. The League of Women Voters supports a diverse child care system to accommodate different parental choices and needs. Such a system may include day care centers, group homes, and family day care homes. The State of Oregon should establish appropriate standards to ensure that high quality care exists in all settings. For centers and group homes: these standards should address facilities, staff qualifications, and number of children served. Program, parent/care giver communication, administration and transportation should be included for centers and may also be considered for group homes. There should be flexible guidelines for family day care homes because of the unique character of these facilities. The State of Oregon should enforce mandatory regulations by funding a sufficient number of inspectors. The State of Oregon should set requirements for adequate training for care givers and ensure those training opportunities are available. This could include state provision of training and/or state incentives for others to provide training. City and county governments should participate in enforcing health and fire standards. Affordable child care should be available and accessible for children with differing needs and in various age groups. While parents have the primary responsibility for choosing child care, a coordinated effort between parents and government, together with providers, employers, and private groups is necessary to deliver quality child care at an affordable price. The State of Oregon should: Provide financial assistance for child care expenses to low- and middle-income families based on need. Such assistance could include tax credits for parents with a ceiling based on income. Support resource and referral programs. Encourage employer involvement in the child care system. Encourage development of school-age child care programs. Parents in job training, in school, with special-needs children and/or needing respite care services should be eligible for financial assistance for child care based on demonstrated need. Child caregivers should be awarded recognition commensurate with their responsibilities. The State of Oregon should take a leadership role in elevating the professional status of child caregivers and ensuring adequate compensation. National Position (adopted in 1988): “Support programs, services, and policies at all levels of government to expand the supply of affordable, quality child care for all who need it, in order to increase access to employment and to prevent and reduce poverty.” Updated Position Adopted February 2025 Administration and Organization: Oregon should have a coordinating organization to provide overall planning for care and enrichment for children and youth from birth through high school during non-school time. Oregon must periodically conduct an in-depth cost/benefit analysis of K-12 childcare programs that includes economic benefits to the economy vs. cost to taxpayers for the public and for the Legislature. Oregon should provide subsidized and stable funding for afterschool and summer programs that include education, enrichment, and experiential learning. Oregon should provide startup funds for childcare, after school, and summer programs. Reimbursements should be timely, consistent, and clearly defined. Evaluation results of programs (not individual children) should be made public. Licensing: Oregon should provide licensing and oversight for care programs involving children and youth 0-18 yrs. Oregon should provide a clear, comprehensive licensing process. Facility requirements should be clearly defined to help providers understand and meet regulations. Coaching and technical assistance regarding licensing should be made available to providers. The licensing of providers should be handled by one state agency. Curriculum: There should be oversight to ensure age-appropriate curricular goals are met. Equity, respect, and the needs of diverse cultures should be incorporated into curriculum planning to benefit all children. Older youth should be involved in curricular planning to help them develop independence and responsibility. Care programs should have curricular input from parents and guardians. When the latest research on curriculum and procedures is available, it should be disseminated to providers. Staffing: The certification of provider staff should be in one state agency. Background checks should be conducted by one state agency with an emphasis on efficient and prompt responses. Provider staff should be compensated for the training time required. The training required for provider staff should be free or subsidized. Training for provider staff should be offered at a variety of times at accessible locations or online and be available in a variety of languages. The State of Oregon should provide forgivable education loans for people who work in childcare, afterschool, and summer care in underserved or high poverty areas. Children at Risk - Adopted January 1995 ; Updated Position 2015 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports comprehensive statewide, locally-based programs and services for teen pregnancy prevention and for teenage parents. Such programs and services should include elements of the following: family planning services, school-based health centers, parenting skills’ education, cooperation/coordination among agencies providing services, evaluation and accountability measurements, easy and appropriate access to information and services, mentoring and counseling for teenagers and their parents, including peer counseling, community involvement and support groups, abuse prevention, male responsibility in teen pregnancy prevention, broad public education, and 12. substance abuse prevention. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the state should have the primary responsibility for funding programs addressing teenage pregnancy prevention and teen parenting. Elements to be included, but not limited to, are: equitable funding of programs for young women and young men, adequate funding for state agencies with responsibilities to children, cooperative efforts with the private sector, funds earmarked for community programs, urban and rural, which provide after school and weekend activities for teens, and shared funding responsibility, when appropriate, among state, local and private sources. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports development of required curriculum for all school districts relative to teen pregnancy and parenting, accompanied by implementation requirements, which covers, but is not limited to, the following areas: comprehensive, age-appropriate family life sexuality education K-12, parenting skills education, specialized education programs for pregnant teens and teenage parents, and teacher training at the baccalaureate level and as continuing education. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports programs directed to assist pregnant teens and teen parents. These programs include the following: job training and adequate wages, involvement and financial support requirements for fathers, counseling to break the cycles of abuse, poverty, and teen pregnancy, health care, including prenatal care, accessible, affordable housing, child care, transportation access, completion of secondary education, and self-esteem enhancement, career opportunities, and transition to self-sufficiency. Updated Position 2015 In the Spring of 2015, League members throughout Oregon studied early childhood education, discussed consensus questions posed by the LWVOR study committee, and submitted their views to the state League. Those views were combined to formulate the following position, which can now be used for advocacy by local Leagues as well as the LWVOR Action Team. LWVOR Children at Risk Position Statement: The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the early years of a child’s life are crucial in building the foundation for educational attainment and greatly impact success or failure in later life. Early intervention and prevention measures are effective in helping children reach their full potential. The League supports policies, programs, and funding at all levels of the community and government that promote the well-being, encourage the full development, and ensure the safety of all children. These include: Nutrition and food access for vulnerable children and families Access to affordable, safe, and stable housing Early screening (physical, dental, mental, and behavioral) for all children; early prenatal care and ongoing health care for children (physical, mental, dental) Access to affordable, quality child care (see LWVOR Child Care position) Access to early literacy and pre-school programs, including but not limited to Early Head Start and Head Start Programs for mental health and addictions treatment for parents Family support, including but not limited to home visiting, parenting classes, and family relief nurseries Comprehensive services for children with developmental and cognitive disabilities Use of evidence-based practices in child welfare and foster care Programs to reduce poverty by providing parents with assistance in job training and education Policies and legislation to reduce racial or ethnic minority status inequities The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that governments, at all levels, have a responsibility to oversee and coordinate a comprehensive network of services to maximize children’s readiness to be successful in school while optimizing available resources. National Position, adopted 1994: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that early intervention and prevention measures are effective in helping children reach their full potential. The League supports policies and programs at all levels of the community and government that promote the wellbeing, encourage the full development and ensure the safety of all children. These include: child abuse/neglect prevention; teen pregnancy prevention; quality health care, including nutrition and prenatal care; early childhood education; developmental services, emphasizing children ages 0-3; family support services; violence prevention. Public Postsecondary Education - Adopted January 1985, updated June 2018 The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the primary goal of Oregon’s public postsecondary education should be to provide a broad spectrum of higher education for professional, vocational, and personal enrichment. Individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to have rewarding careers, earn higher wages, and make positive contributions to their community. Through sustaining equitable access and a seamless path from preK to postsecondary education, more Oregon students will prosper. Postsecondary Education System Oregon needs a strong, high-quality system of higher education: Oregon’s postsecondary institutions have distinct missions and goals and should be evaluated based upon how each institution’s goals are met. The State General Fund should give high priority to financial aid for students and general operating funds. Capital construction should come from other sources, including bonding, rather than the General Fund. In order to attract and retain quality faculty, salaries and research opportunities should be appropriately competitive. It is imperative in our institutions that we have good fiscal management and accountability for the funding provided. For the most effective use of state educational resources, state public institutions should cooperate and coordinate programs resulting in: Consistent statewide standards, and Easy transfer of credit between schools. If state funding necessitates limiting access, such limitation should consider equity as well as academic achievement and financial need. Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) HECC should place priority on: Providing one strategic vision for higher education in Oregon; Developing biennial budget recommendations for public postsecondary education in Oregon and making funding allocations to Oregon’s public community colleges and public universities; and Developing standards for programs such as dual credit, transfer, and credit for prior learning. HECC’s role should be to facilitate system high priorities while allowing as much autonomy as possible within each institution. Community Colleges The primary role of community colleges should be in the areas of: Workforce and vocational-technical training; Developmental education (e.g. high school equivalency, English language learning); Lower division college courses that prepare students for an associate’s degree or transfer to university; and Hobby and recreation courses have a secondary role and must be self-supporting, as defined by statute. If state funding necessitates limiting access, such limitation should consider equity as well as financial need. Independent Governing Boards Cooperation and coordination should be emphasized by all Oregon public postsecondary education institutions and governing boards. The performance of independent boards at each institution should be monitored to ensure that they are responsive to the institution’s needs and the needs of the state as a whole. Oregon State System of Higher Education (OSSHE) For the most effective use of state educational resources, OSSHE institutions should cooperate and coordinate programs resulting in: Consistent statewide standards. Easy transfer of credit between schools. If state funding for OSSHE institutions necessitates limiting access, such limitation should be: Academic, e.g. entrance requirements. Financial limitation is the least desirable. Oregon needs a strong, high-quality system of higher education. State funding must reflect this need, and high priority should be given to providing sufficient funds to improve the general excellence of the state system. In order to attract and retain quality faculty, salaries and research opportunities should be appropriately competitive. Adequate funding should also be provided to ensure complete, up-to-date libraries and to maintain or upgrade the physical plants at all of our colleges and universities. It is imperative that in our institutions we have good fiscal management accountability for the funding provided. League members feel that the roles and interrelationships of the present regional colleges, specialized institutions, and research universities are properly balanced. Oregon State University and the University of Oregon should remain comprehensive research universities. Portland State University should be allowed to expand gradually. Community Colleges The primary role of community colleges should be in the areas of: Vocational-technical training; Developmental education (e.g. high school equivalency, English as a second language); Lower division college courses. Community adult education (hobby and recreation courses) should have a secondary role and must be self-supporting as defined by statute. Community colleges should maintain an open door policy. If funding necessitates limiting access: Such limitation should be geographic, i.e. higher tuition for out-of-district students; Academic or financial limitations are the least desirable. State funding for community colleges should be according to the formulas set by the 1961 legislation. Local control must be maintained because it affords the community colleges the necessary flexibility to respond to local needs. Boards and Commissions Cooperation and coordination should be emphasized by all Oregon public postsecondary education institutions and governing boards. The current boards dealing with education, the Board of Education, and the Board of Higher Education need no structural change. The League does not favor the creation of a new education governing body Editor’s note: for K-12 education, see Fiscal Policy Position, School District Financing. Farmworker Issues - Adopted January 2001 T he League of Women Voters of Oregon believes all citizens benefit from the agricultural bounty produced by Oregon’s farmers and farmworkers, and that the state has a role in supporting the sound and fair relationship between farmers and the agricultural workforce, with the goal of economic and social justice for both parties. LWVOR believes the state must work for the humane and respectful treatment of workers as well as the viability of Oregon farms. Currently laws that regulate the working environment for agricultural workers are different from laws regulating the working conditions in other industries. The LWVOR believes the differences between agriculture and other industries justify some variance; but where farm work is similar to other labor, regulatory differences should be narrowed. All farmworkers should be fairly compensated, earning at least minimum wage. With the possible exception of piece-rate work, some farm labor should be eligible for overtime pay. Unemployment insurance should cover permanent, year-round farmworkers. Hourly-paid farmworkers should receive paid rest breaks; all farmworkers should be provided adequate time away from work for meals. The state should continue to improve the safety of agricultural workplaces for farmworkers. Rules for child labor and for the use of farm and forestry labor contractors should maintain high standards of worker protections. State laws and programs, including non-governmental efforts, should address farmworkers’ needs for a broad range of services, such as child care, safe and decent housing, sanitary working and living conditions, and access to education and health care. Education programs that are bilingual and culturally appropriate should be offered to assure that workers understand safe work practices, workplace rules, and grievance procedures. LWVOR supports the right of Oregon farmworkers to collectively bargain. Farmworkers should have the right to hold union elections. Employer retaliation for collective activity should be prohibited. Legislation establishing fair rules for unionization by farmworkers should be developed through a dialogue between workers and employers. Monitoring of union elections and contracts by either a private commission or a state entity should be fair and under terms agreeable to both workers and employers. Mediation programs should be encouraged. LWVOR believes consistent and adequate enforcement of state regulations is a key to better conditions for farmworkers. Currently, we find enforcement to be inadequate and inconsistent. LWVOR supports increasing enforcement staff, increasing fines and penalties for serious violations, and collection of civil penalties for infractions of laws. LWVOR supports programs to help farmers understand and comply with worker protection rules. LWVOR believes that safe, decent, and affordable housing should be available to all farmworkers. Oregon currently has an acute shortage of such housing for its agricultural workforce. LWVOR supports increased state funding for farmworker housing, including support, with other funds, for planning, development costs, rural infrastructure, startup costs, operating subsidies, emergency housing, and training and assistance for sponsoring organizations. The state has an important role in ensuring the safety of farmworker housing provided on farms. Such housing that has not been registered with the state should be located and brought into compliance with state standards. Public funding should emphasize best practices, such as community-based housing, and should encourage new models that are decent and safe housing alternatives for seasonal and for permanent, year round workers; these two groups may require different types of housing. Gun Safety - National Position Statement of Position on Gun Control, as Adopted by 1990 Convention and amended by the 1994 and 1998 Conventions: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens. The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety. The League supports licensing procedures for gun ownership by private citizens to include a waiting period for background checks, personal identity verification, gun safety education and annual license renewal. The license fee should be adequate to bear the cost of education and verification. The League supports a ban on “Saturday night specials,” enforcement of strict penalties for the improper possession of and crimes committed with handguns and assault weapons, and allocation of resources to better regulate and monitor gun dealers. Health Policy Adult Mental Health in Oregon - Adopted January 1987; Educational Update 2001*; language update 2008** The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a comprehensive and integrated adult mental health services delivery system in Oregon which: Includes both community and state programs and facilities; Provides for coordination of local and state mental health planning based on regular needs assessments; Provides funding by a coordinated mix of federal, state, local, and private sector dollars; and Includes state budget allocations that reflect service priorities jointly determined by Community Mental Health Programs and the state Addictions and Mental Health Division. The League supports the concept of care, treatment, and support in the least restrictive environment possible which: Ensures continuity of care and humaneness; and Balances the rights and safety of individuals with mental disorders, other interested parties, and society in general. The League believes that the mental health delivery system should include: Adults with: Mental and emotional illness; and Alcohol and drug addiction. Services that focus on recovery of the individual through use of evidence-based crisis intervention and ongoing support. These services could include alternatives to hospitalization, early intervention, residential services, supportive housing, and services delivered by peers in sufficient mix and quantity to afford an acceptable quality of life for consumers and their families. Mental health service providers, administrators, advocates, consumers, their families, and lay citizens as participants in: Service delivery planning; The evaluation of services; and The provision of community education. 4. The League supports an adult mental health civil commitment process which: Ensures statewide consistency in the application of commitment statutes; Provides for adequate and equitable investigation and examination; and Protects the rights and needs of all interested parties. *Updated 2001 for background information only—no position change. **Updated 2008 for language changes only in the position statement—no position change. Mental Health Services for Children and Youth - Adopted January 1975 The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a coordinated plan for comprehensive mental health services for all levels of need to children and youth provided under the direction of a single state service agency responsible for basic state standards. We support the appropriation of consistent and sufficient funds to implement state-mandated programs. A well-coordinated comprehensive mental health service delivery plan should cover such concerns as: Community level services that are accessible, visible, and available to all income levels through a graduated fee schedule; Community level programs that provide early diagnostic and referral services, 24-hour emergency care, treatment services and facilities, aftercare, and follow-up care; The development of preventive programs; Coordination of all levels of government and all public and private agencies working with children; Standards of training for all personnel appropriate to job placement; Consistent state funds supplemented by all available resources, public and private; Utilization of all local resources; Basic state standards which encourage quality treatment and care while permitting alternative programs. The League of Women Voters further supports consistent and sufficient state funds for special education programs in the public school, including: Programs based upon the child’s individual needs; Special training for teachers working with disturbed children. Physical Health Care National Position: Promote a health care system for the United States that provides access to a basic level of quality care for all U.S. residents and controls health care costs. Homeless Youth - Adopted 2007 Parents are legally responsible for their children. When parents are unable to fulfill that responsibility, the League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that communities and governments at all levels have a responsibility to provide programs and services to meet the needs of runaway and homeless youth. In order to help families stay together, prevent youth homelessness, and reduce the need for more expensive future services, the LWVOR supports providing services such as family crisis counseling, child care, parenting education, mental health and addiction treatment, low-cost housing, and health care. When youth are separated from their families, the LWVOR supports providing services to these youth, such as shelter, food, education, health care, mental health and addiction treatment, plus outreach to encourage youth to use services. Older youth need additional services, such as assistance with independent living skills and with finding employment and more permanent housing. These services may be provided by government or by private organizations that receive government and/or private funding. Coordination of these services is necessary to avoid duplication and service gaps. Youth should be served regardless of their race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. All levels of government should have funding responsibility for preventive and supportive services to families and homeless youth. Private organizations are encouraged to provide funding and services. Government funds should be adequate and allocated according to demonstrated need. Agencies must show that their programs are effective. Housing National Position Criteria for Housing Supply: The following considerations can be applied to programs and policies to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family: The responsibility for achieving national housing goals rests primarily with the federal government, which should: Assure that our economic system is functioning to produce and maintain sufficient decent housing for citizens at all income levels; Compensate for any failure or inadequacy of the system by building, financing, renting and selling homes to those citizens whose housing needs are not being met; Give a variety of incentives to local jurisdictions to encourage them to provide within their boundaries an adequate supply of decent housing for low- and moderate-income groups; Withhold federal funds from communities that fail to encourage such housing. State and local governments should assist by establishing effective agencies to aid, promote, coordinate and supplement the housing programs of the federal government and the private sector. Government at all levels must make available sufficient funds for housing-assistance programs. When families or individuals cannot afford decent housing, government should provide assistance in the form of income and/or subsidized housing. Government programs providing subsidies to the building, financing and insuring industries for housing for lower-income families should be evaluated in terms of units produced rather than in terms of benefits accruing to these industries. Government at all levels should develop policies that will assure sufficient land at reasonable cost on which to develop housing and that will assure fulfillment of other goals such as access to employment, preservation of open space, environmental cleanliness and beauty, and other aspects of a suitable living environment. Regional and metropolitan planning should be promoted to prevent haphazard urban growth, and housing for low- and moderate-income families should be provided as apart of all planned neighborhoods or communities. Lower-income families should not be segregated in large developments or neighborhoods. As their economic status improves, lower-income families should be enabled to continue to live in the same units as private tenants or as homeowners, if they are so inclined. Housing should be designed to meet human needs and should be built with amenities that will encourage economic integration within apartment buildings as well as neighborhoods. Publicly assisted housing should be included in viable, balanced communities, with provision for quality public services and facilities, including schools, transportation, recreation, etc., that will encourage integration and stability. Zoning practices and procedures that will counteract racial and economic isolation should be promoted. State and local governments should adopt and enforce: Uniform building codes with standards based on performance; Housing codes to protect the health and safety of all citizens. State and local tax structures should be examined and revised to: Benefit communities that build housing for lower-income families; Encourage private owners to improve their homes; Reduce speculative land costs. Government, industry and labor should encourage innovative building techniques to reduce the cost of housing production. Rights of tenants to negotiate for proper maintenance, management of facilities and services should be protected. Housing programs should be administered by individuals trained for the jobs and sympathetic with the needs of their clientele. Citizen groups should participate in the development of publicly assisted housing programs by: Evaluating performance; Activating nonprofit sponsorships; Supporting legislation; Developing public awareness of housing discrimination and need. Juvenile Justice - Adopted March 1981; Educational Update 2000* The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes in coordinated planning and implementation of juvenile services. Prevention of juvenile crimes should be a priority in our society. Prevention programs should: Be available from early childhood to adulthood; Involve family, peers, schools, and the community; Make available early diagnosis and treatment for physical, mental, and educational problems; Make available opportunities for all youth to learn responsibility and positive self-images in their own communities; and Make available opportunities for learning parenting skills. Services for juvenile offenders should: Be responsive to the needs of the youth and his or her family; Make diversion programs available prior to entry as well as during involvement in the juvenile justice system; Emphasize community planned and operated programs, including youth restitution programs; Deal with youth offenders in the least restrictive environment; Provide treatment-oriented secure custody; Include appropriate evaluation, treatment, and placement for those already in the system. The League opposes holding juveniles in adult jails. If appropriate alternatives are not available, care must be taken to assure that juveniles are out of sight and sound of incarcerated adults. Status offenders should be diverted from the juvenile justice system whenever possible. The League opposes holding status offenders in jail under any conditions. Social services outside the juvenile justice system should be developed to meet their needs. The juvenile court may be needed to provide help and protection for some youth. Basic standards for juvenile services should rest with the state. Minimal federal standards are acceptable. Local governments should have flexibility for implementing programs consistent with these standards. Funding for Juvenile services should be consistent and dependable from all sources: Local, state, federal, and private; Include parental ability to pay; Any level of government mandating services should provide substantial funding for those services. There should be a uniform statewide data system that provides meaningful and retrievable information while complying with right-to-privacy laws. *Updated for background information only – no position change. Women’s Issues LWVOR uses several LWVUS positions relating to women in supporting and opposing specific legislative proposals, statewide initiatives and community activities. The positions include: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced that rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged. The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that public policy in a pluralistic society must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices. The League supports “equal rights for all regardless of sex.” The League further believes that governments at all levels share the responsibility to provide equality of opportunity for education, employment and housing for all persons regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. The League supports programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families, including quality of health care, income assistance, housing and public transportation access.

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